Mesothelium

The mesothelium is a thin layer of squamous cell epithelium that covers some body cavities - pleura, peritoneum, pericardium and mediastinum. The layer of mesothelium that covers the organ is called the visceral mesothelium, and from the side of the cavity it is the parietal mesothelium. The mesothelium is part of the serosa. The main function of mesothelial cells is the production of fluid, which ensures the smoothness, non-adherence and protection of the organs in question. The mesothelium also ensures the transport of e.g. leukocytes and growth factors in the serous cavity, extracellular proteins and others. A tumor arising from the mesothelium is called mesothelioma.

Related articles

 * Epithelium
 * Mediastinum
 * Mesothelioma
 * Pericardium
 * Peritoneum
 * Pleura