Dorsal (posterior) cavity

Definition

The dorsal (posterior) cavity is a large cavity in the human body that houses the brain and spinal cord, part of the central nervous system. It is subdivided into the cranial cavity, which contains the brain, and the vertebral or spinal cavity, which encloses the spinal cord.

Related terms

Cranial Cavity: The space within the skull that encloses and protects the brain.

Spinal Cavity: A slender, elongated space within the vertebral column that houses and protects the spinal cord.

Central Nervous System: The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and controlling bodily functions