The dorsal body cavity houses which of the following?

The dorsal body cavity is primarily responsible for housing the central nervous system, which includes both the brain and the spinal cord. This cavity is divided into two main regions: the cranial cavity, which encases the brain, and the spinal cavity, which surrounds the spinal cord. The critical function of the structures housed within the dorsal body cavity is to protect and support the central nervous system, which plays a vital role in coordinating bodily functions and processing sensory information.

In contrast, the other options refer to structures located in different body cavities. The heart and lungs are found within the thoracic cavity, while the stomach and intestines are situated in the abdominal cavity. Lastly, the liver and kidneys are also located in the abdominal cavity. Thus, the spinal cord and brain are the only ones contained within the dorsal body cavity, making this choice the correct answer.