Body Membranes Lecture Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining the types, structures, locations, and functions of body membranes based on the lecture notes.

Body membranes

Thin sheets of tissue that cover surfaces, line body cavities, or separate structures, protecting the body and controlling interactions between tissues and their surroundings.

Mucous membranes

Also known as mucosae, membranes composed of an epithelial layer supported by connective tissue that line body passages open to the outside.

Serous membranes

Membranes composed of a thin layer of simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue that line closed body cavities and cover internal organs.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin; an external membrane composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium attached to connective tissue that covers the outside of the body.

Synovial membranes

Connective tissue membranes that line the inner surfaces of freely movable joints.

Pleura

A type of serous membrane that surrounds the lungs.

Pericardium

A type of serous membrane that surrounds the heart.

Peritoneum

A type of serous membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities and covers many organs inside them.

Serous fluid

A small amount of fluid produced by serous membranes that reduces friction as organs move.

Synovial fluid

A fluid produced by synovial membranes that lubricates joints and helps nourish articular cartilage.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the cutaneous membrane, made of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium.

Dermis

The layer of the cutaneous membrane beneath the epidermis, composed of a papillary layer of loose areolar connective tissue and a reticular layer of dense irregular connective tissue.

Hypodermis

Also known as superficial fascia, the layer beneath the dermis composed of fatty areolar connective tissue.