Serous Membranes

Parietal Layer

"Paries" = wall Attaches to and covers the ventral body wall.

Retroperitoneal

"Retro" = behind Organs behind the peritoneum.

Serous Membranes

"Serum = any clear, watery fluid Most of the organs in the ventral body cavity are covered with thin serous membranes, which are composed of two layers: a visceral layer and a parietal layer.

Visceral Layer

"Viscera" = internal organs Covers the organ.

Membrane

A thin, pliable tissue that covers, lines, partitions, or connects structures.

Serous Fluid

Between the two layers is a potential cavity containing a small amount of serous fluid secreted by the membranes. The clear, watery serous fluid prevents friction as the organs move within the ventral body cavity.

Visceral Pleura

Clings to the surface of the lungs.

Peritonial Cavity

Contains a small amount of lubricating serous fluid.

Visceral Peritoneum

Covers the abdominal viscera.

Visceral Pericardium.

Covers the surface of the heart.

Pericardial Cavity

Filled with a small amount of lubricating serous fluid.

Pleural Cavity

Filled with a small amount of lubricating serous fluid.

Thoracic Serous Membranes

Include the pleura, which covers the lungs, and the pericardium, which covers the heart.

Parietal Peritoneum

Lines the abdominal wall, covering the inferior surface of the diaphragm.

Parietal Pleura

Lines the chest wall, covering the superior surface of the diaphragm.

Parietal Pericardium

Lines the chest wall.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane of the abdominal cavity.

Pericardium

The serous membrane of the pericardial cavity.

Pleura

The serous membrane of the pleural cavities.

Visceral Layer and Parietal Layer

These two layers make up one continuous sheet that folds to form a sac.