In Phylum Chordata, the thoracic cavity houses which organs?

In Phylum Chordata, the thoracic cavity houses which organs?

• A. Heart and lungs
• B. Digestive organs
• C. Kidneys
• D. Liver and spleen

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how the body’s cavities are organized and which organs sit in the thoracic cavity. In chordates with a defined thorax, the thoracic cavity lies within the rib cage and houses the heart and lungs (with the lungs in the pleural spaces and the heart in the pericardial space within the mediastinum). Digestive organs are located in the abdominal cavity, not the thorax, while kidneys sit along the posterior abdominal wall, and the liver and spleen are also in the abdominal region. So the heart and lungs are the organs specifically housed in the thoracic cavity.

The main idea is how the body’s cavities are organized and which organs sit in the thoracic cavity. In chordates with a defined thorax, the thoracic cavity lies within the rib cage and houses the heart and lungs (with the lungs in the pleural spaces and the heart in the pericardial space within the mediastinum). Digestive organs are located in the abdominal cavity, not the thorax, while kidneys sit along the posterior abdominal wall, and the liver and spleen are also in the abdominal region. So the heart and lungs are the organs specifically housed in the thoracic cavity.