he Trunk The trunk consists of three segments: thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, each of which is bounded by body wall

and contains a cavity. The thoracic cavity lies cranial to the diaphragm, whereas the abdominal cavity lies caudal.
Dorsally, the roof of all three cavities is formed by the spinal column and associated muscles. The pelvic cavity is
defined by the borders of the bony pelvis and communicates with the abdominal cavity. The bony thorax includes the
ribs and sternum; the thoracic musculature is predominantly associated with respiration. Knowledge of the abdominal
musculature is important when performing surgery on abdominal organs, and these muscles are traditionally divided
into ventrolateral and sublumbar groups.