Question

Which body cavity protects the nervous system?

1) Cranial
2) Dorsal
3) Vertebral
4) Thoracic

Answer 1

The dorsal cavity, including the cranial and vertebral cavities, protects the nervous system. It is cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid and protected by the bones of the skull and vertebral column.

Step-by-step explanation:

The body cavity that protects the nervous system is the dorsal cavity. This cavity includes two main sub-divisions:

• The cranial cavity, which houses the brain
• The vertebral cavity (also known as the spinal cavity), which encases the spinal cord

Both these cavities are protected by bones; the cranial cavity by the skull and the vertebral cavity by the vertebral column. Furthermore, the brain and spinal cord within these cavities are cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a shock absorber to protect these vital components of the central nervous system from injury.

To answer the review questions provided:

1. False - The stomach is located in the ventral cavity, specifically in the abdominal cavity.
2. False - A body cavity does not necessarily have to open to the outside world. Some cavities, like the cranial cavity, do not open externally.
3. True - The vertebral column does surround the spinal cavity, which is part of the dorsal cavity.
4. The cavity directly below the thoracic cavity is the abdominopelvic cavity.
5. The name of the fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord is cerebrospinal fluid (B).