Body Membranes

Body membranes

Structures that line, cover, protect, and lubricate body surfaces

Cutaneous membrane

Skin composed of epithelial tissue and underlying connective tissue

Epidermis

Outer layer of cutaneous membrane made of stratified squamous keratinizing epithelium

Dermis

Inner layer of cutaneous membrane made of fibrous connective tissue

Serous membranes

Membranes of simple squamous epithelium on connective tissue basement membrane that secrete serous fluid for lubrication

Parietal serous membrane

Lines the walls of body cavities

Visceral serous membrane

Covers organs within body cavities

Pleura

A double-layered serous membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity.

• Parietal pleura: the outer layer that lines the inside of the chest wall and diaphragm

• Visceral pleura:  the inner layer that covers the surface of the lungs

Peritoneum

A double-layered serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs.

• Parietal peritoneum: the outer layer that lines the inner wall of the abdominal cavity.

• Visceral peritoneum: the inner layer that covers the surfaces of abdominal organs

Pericardium

A double-layered serous membrane that surrounds and protects the heart.

• Parietal pericardium: the outer layer that lines the cavity around the heart.

• Visceral pericardium: the inner layer that directly covers the heart’s surface.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs

Mucous membranes

Membranes that line body surfaces opening directly to the exterior, adapted for absorption and secretion, produce mucus

Connective tissue membranes

Membranes that contain no epithelial components and produce synovial fluid for lubrication

Synovial membranes

Connective tissue membranes lining joint spaces, bursae, and tendon sheaths

Parietal

Lines the wall of a body cavity

Visceral

Covers the surface of an organ