serous membrane

American  

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. any of various thin membranes, as the peritoneum, that line certain cavities of the body and exude a serous fluid.

---

serous membrane British  

noun

1. any of the smooth moist delicate membranes, such as the pleura or peritoneum, that line the closed cavities of the body and secrete a watery exudate

---

Etymology

Origin of serous membrane

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The mesothelium is a simple squamous epithelium that forms the surface layer of the serous membrane that lines body cavities and internal organs.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The pericardial sac consists of two fused layers: an outer fibrous capsule and an inner parietal pericardium lined with a serous membrane.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A fourth, the peritoneum, is the serous membrane in the abdominal cavity that covers abdominal organs and forms double sheets of mesenteries that suspend many of the digestive organs.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The most superficial layer is the serous membrane, or perimetrium, which consists of epithelial tissue that covers the exterior portion of the uterus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Pleura, plōō′ra, n. a delicate serous membrane which covers the lungs and lines the cavity of the chest:—pl.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various