Which cavities envelop the lungs as part of the thoracic region?

Which cavities envelop the lungs as part of the thoracic region?

• A. Pleural Cavities
• B. Pericardial Cavity
• C. Abdominal Cavity
• D. Pelvic Cavity

Answer: (A)

The lungs are housed within pleural cavities, two serous-membrane–lined spaces in the thoracic cavity. Each lung sits inside its own pleural cavity, formed by the visceral pleura tightly covering the lung and the parietal pleura lining the chest wall, with a thin pleural fluid–filled space between them that reduces friction during breathing. The heart sits in the mediastinum and is enclosed by the pericardial cavity, which is separate from the lungs. Abdominal and pelvic cavities lie below the diaphragm and do not envelop the lungs.

The lungs are housed within pleural cavities, two serous-membrane–lined spaces in the thoracic cavity. Each lung sits inside its own pleural cavity, formed by the visceral pleura tightly covering the lung and the parietal pleura lining the chest wall, with a thin pleural fluid–filled space between them that reduces friction during breathing. The heart sits in the mediastinum and is enclosed by the pericardial cavity, which is separate from the lungs. Abdominal and pelvic cavities lie below the diaphragm and do not envelop the lungs.