The mesothelium
The mesothelium is the membrane that lines cavities in the body and surrounds most of your internal organs. The mesothelium has different names depending on where it is in the body.
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 chest wall and covers the top of the diaphragm.
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 abdominal wall and the pelvis.
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.
Your trusted source for accurate cancer information
With support from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.
We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.
Every donation helps fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.