Within the thoracic region, which cavity is primarily associated with the lungs?

• A. Mediastinum
• B. Pleural
• C. Pericardial
• D. Abdominal

Answer: (B)

Within the thoracic region, the lungs are housed in the pleural cavities. These are two thin-walled spaces formed by the pleural membranes: the visceral pleura covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura lines the chest wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum. The small amount of fluid in the pleural cavity allows the lungs to glide smoothly as you breathe. The mediastinum sits at the center of the thorax and contains the heart and great vessels, the pericardial cavity surrounds the heart, and the abdominal cavity lies below the diaphragm. Because the lungs are contained within the pleural cavities, that is the cavity most closely associated with them.