ii) Serous membranes Serous membranes line cavities that do not open to the exterior. These include the thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities. These membranes consist of Areolar CT covered by Mesothelium (simple squamous epithelium). Serous membranes have two layers: Parietal (the layer attached to and lining the cavity wall), and Visceral (covers and adheres to the organs). The mesothelium secretes a serous fluid, which functions as a watery lubricant allowing organs to glide easily over each other or slide against cavity walls. Other specific types of serous membranes:
Pleura : lining the thoracic cavity and covering the lungs
Pericardium : lining the heart cavity and covering the heart
Peritoneum : lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs.
iii) Cutaneous membranes
This is skin, covering the entire surface of the body. It contains a superficial layer called the Epidermis and a deeper portion called the Dermis . The epidermis consists of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and the dermis consists of CT (areolar and dense irregular CT).
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