THE SEROUS MEMBRANE

WHAT IS IT MADE OF?

• A serous membrane (serosa) is composed of a layer of
• Alayer of simple squamous epithelium resting on a
• thin layer of areolar connective tissue

WHAT DOES IT DO?

• Surrounds organs in the thoratic cavity
• Allows organs to slide against each other avoiding direct contact
• Isolates different organs
• Secretes serous fluid, allowing the membranes to slide very easily

If the membrane fails to correctly function then the organs can damage, internal damage, and in some circumstances, DEATH.
In horses, the lack of this membrane can cause intestinal tying.

WHERE IS IT FOUND?

• The parietal layer of thr serous membrane is closed to the exterior
• The visceral layer is where the serous membrane folds up on itself
• The visceral layer covers the outside of the organs
• The part of the serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the organs is the peritoneum
• The part that covers the lungs is the pleura

The part that covers the heart is the pericardium these separate the heart and lungs