3. What is Life? Serous Membranes

Question 1

What are serous membranes?

Answer 1

Thin, slippery, double layered membranes that line walls of body cavities and the organs inside of them.

Primary function is to reduce friction between moving organs and structures. This allows smooth movement during function, such as a pumping heart and expanding lungs

Question 2

What are the layers of serous membranes?

Answer 2

Parietal Serous membrane: Lines the body cavity

Visceral Serous membrane: covers the internal organs within the cavity

Question 3

What is serous fluid?

Answer 3

the 2 layers of serous membranes are separated by a thin film of fluid, acting as a lubricant.

helps reduce friction between the organs.

Question 4

Types of serous membranes: Pericardium

Answer 4

Serous membrane associated with the heart.
Has parietal (lines the pericardial cavity) and visceral (covers the heart) pericardium with pericardial fluid

Question 5

Types of serous membranes: Pleura

Answer 5

Serous membrane associated with the lungs
Pleural cavity- ribs and lungs

Has parietal (lines space around lungs) & visceral (covers the lungs) pleura and pleural fluid allowing smooth movement of the lungs

Question 6

Types of serous membranes: Peritoneum

Answer 6

serous membrane associated with the abdominal organs (liver, stomach etc)

Includes parietal ( lines the abdominal cavity) & visceral (covers the organs) peritoneum. includes peritoneal fluid that lubricators the organs for movement

Question 7

Types of serous membranes: Peritoneum

Answer 7

serous membrane associated with the abdominal organs (liver, stomach etc)

Includes parietal ( lines the abdominal cavity) & visceral (covers the organs) peritoneum. includes peritoneal fluid that lubricators the organs for movement