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Multiple Choice
The pericardial cavity is ______ to the pleural cavities.
A
posterior
B
lateral
C
medial
D
superior
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by identifying the anatomical structures mentioned in the problem. The pericardial cavity houses the heart, while the pleural cavities surround the lungs.
Step 2: Understand the spatial relationships between these structures. The pericardial cavity is centrally located in the thoracic cavity, while the pleural cavities are positioned on either side of it.
Step 3: Recall the anatomical directional terms. 'Medial' refers to a position closer to the midline of the body, while 'lateral' refers to a position farther from the midline.
Step 4: Compare the location of the pericardial cavity to the pleural cavities. Since the pericardial cavity is closer to the midline of the body than the pleural cavities, it is described as medial to them.
Step 5: Confirm the correct answer based on the definitions and spatial relationships. The pericardial cavity is medial to the pleural cavities.