Final answer:
The stomach is located in the abdominal cavity and is involved in both chemical and mechanical digestion. The abdominal cavity is distinct from the thoracic cavity, which contains the lungs and heart.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stomach is an organ located within the abdominal cavity. This cavity is a subdivision of the anterior (ventral) cavity, which also includes the thoracic cavity. The thoracic cavity, being the more superior subdivision, contains the lungs and heart, and it is separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm. The abdominal cavity houses the digestive organs, with the stomach playing a crucial role in both chemical and mechanical digestion. Diseases such as diverticulitis can affect organs within the abdominal cavity, such as the colon which is part of the large intestine. In context to central nervous system components, they are not housed in the abdominal cavity; the cranial cavity contains the brain, which is part of the central nervous system.