Which cavities are combined to form the dorsal cavity?

The dorsal cavity is an anatomical term that refers to the cavities located along the back of the body. This encompasses both the cranial cavity, which houses the brain, and the spinal cavity, which encloses the spinal cord. Together, these two cavities are recognized as the dorsal cavity due to their positioning along the posterior aspect of the body.

Understanding the structure of the dorsal cavity is crucial for various medical practices, including coding and documentation, as it helps in identifying the areas where conditions may arise and aids in the accurate categorization of medical diagnoses and procedures. The cranial cavity and spinal cavity share a continuous protective lining of the meninges, emphasizing their close anatomical relationship.

Other combinations listed in the options refer to various cavities but do not pertain to the dorsal cavity structure. For example, the thoracic and abdominal cavities refer to the ventral body cavities, and abdominal and pelvic cavities are part of the same region but don't belong to the dorsal configuration. Therefore, the combination of cranial and spinal cavities distinctly forms the dorsal cavity.