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.

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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

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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

If a bullet were to penetrate a lung, which three anterior thoracic body cavities would it enter, and which layer of the serous membrane would it encounter first?

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

Subserous, sub-sē′rus, adj. somewhat serous or watery: below a serous membrane.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various