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Chapter 9 Human Body Orientation 435
section: the cranial cavity and the spinal cavity. The skull forms the
cranial
cavity,
y y
which contains the brain. The hollow spaces inside vertebrae (bone segments of
the spine) form the
spinal
cavity, which protects the spinal cord (Figure
y y
9.6).
cranial cavity the dorsal
body cavity that contains
the brain
spinal cavity the dorsal
body cavity that contains
the spinal cord
Cranial
cavity
Spinal
cavity
Dorsal
section
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Figure 9.6 The dorsal cavities are the cranial and spinal cavities.
Recall Activity
1. Name the two body cavities in the dorsal section. __________________________________________________
2. Which body cavity protects the brain? _____________________________________________________________
Concept 8: Ventral Cavities
The ventral surface of the body is the front. There are three cavities in the l
ventral section: the thoracic cavity, the abdominal cavity, and the pelvic cavity.