Serous membrane
(Redirected from Serosae)
Serous membrane or serosa is a smooth tissue membrane consisting of two layers of mesothelium, which secrete serous fluid. The inner layer that covers organs (viscera) in body cavities is called the visceral membrane. A second layer of epithelial cells of the serosa, called the parietal layer, lines the body wall.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Serous membranes line and enclose several body cavities, known as serous cavities, where they secrete a lubricating fluid which reduces friction from muscle movement. Serosae have special names given to them, and are classified into:
- Pleura: The pleural serosa, in the thoracic cavity, is divided into the parietal pleura (lining the inside of the body wall) and the visceral pleura (covering the lungs).
- Peritoneum: The peritoneal serosa, in the abdominal cavity, is divided into the parietal peritoneum (lining the inside of the body wall) and the visceral peritoneum (covering the abdominal organs).
- Pericardium: The pericardial serosa, in the pericardial cavity, is divided into the parietal pericardium (lining the inside of the body wall) and the visceral pericardium (covering the heart).
Function[edit | edit source]
The serous membranes produce serous fluid, a thin, watery form of lubrication that allows organs to slide against each other without causing damage during muscle contractions.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Inflammation of the serous membranes often results in serous fluid build-up in the serous cavities, a condition known as an effusion. This can occur in various diseases, such as pleurisy and peritonitis.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Serous membrane Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD