Which body cavity contains the sigmoid colon?

• A. Pelvic
• B. Cranial
• C. Thoracic
• D. Abdominal

Answer: (A)

Focus on where the distal digestive tract sits in the body. The sigmoid colon is the last part of the large intestine and it descends into the pelvic region before becoming the rectum, so its home is the pelvic cavity. The cranial space houses the brain, the thoracic cavity holds the heart and lungs, and while the abdominal cavity contains many organs, the sigmoid colon primarily occupies the pelvis as it approaches the rectum. Trace the colon from the cecum up the right side, across the transverse colon, down the left side, and into the pelvis where the sigmoid loop sits.