Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites and can spread between individuals. 1  Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. 2  Microorganisms that cause disease are collectively called pathogens.
The Abdominopelvic Cavity The abdominopelvic cavity extends from the diaphragm to the pelvis. It is subdivided into a superior abdominal cavity and an inferior pelvic cavity (Figure 1-11a,c). The abdominopelvic cavity contains the peritoneal cavity, a chamber lined by a serous membrane known as the peritoneum.
FIGURE 1-11 Body Cavities. (a) The dorsal body cavity is bounded by the bones of the skull and vertebral column. The muscular diaphragm divides the ventral body cavity into a superior thoracic (chest) cavity and an inferior abdominopelvic cavity.The pericardial cavity is inside the chest cavity.a) The dorsal body cavity is bounded by the bones of the skull and vertebral column. The muscular diaphragm divides the ventral body cavity into a superior thoracic (chest) cavity and an inferior abdominopelvic cavity. The pericardial cavity is inside the chest cavity.