The mesothelium
The mesothelium is the
The pleura
The pleura is the part of the mesothelium in the chest.
The
parietal pleura
is the outer layer. It lines the inside of the
The visceral pleura is the inner layer. It surrounds and supports each lung.
The pleural space is between the 2 layers of the pleura. It contains fluid that cushions the lungs and allows them to expand smoothly inside the chest.
The peritoneum
The peritoneum is the part of the mesothelium in the abdomen and pelvis.
The
parietal peritoneum
is the outer layer. It lines the
The
visceral peritoneum
is the inner layer. It surrounds and supports most of the organs in the abdomen and
pelvis. The
The peritoneal space is between the 2 layers of the peritoneum. It contains fluid, which cushions the organs.
The mesothelium in other parts of the body
The pericardium is the membrane that covers and protects the heart.
The tunica vaginalis is the membrane that surrounds each testicle.
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