In which body cavity is the heart located?

The heart is located in the thoracic cavity, which is the area of the chest that extends from the neck to the diaphragm. This cavity is bordered by the ribs and thoracic vertebrae and contains vital organs, including the heart and lungs. The heart is situated specifically in the mediastinum, a central compartment within the thoracic cavity that separates the lungs and houses the heart, aorta, esophagus, and trachea.

The abdominal cavity is the area that contains organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines, while the pelvic cavity houses reproductive organs, the bladder, and part of the large intestine. The cranial cavity surrounds and protects the brain. Therefore, the thoracic cavity is the correct location for the heart due to its anatomical positioning within the chest, which allows it to effectively perform its function of pumping blood throughout the body.