Body Membranes Lecture Notes

Overview

• Body membranes consist of epithelial tissue and connective tissue.
• Four types of body membranes:
  1. Mucous membranes
  2. Serous membranes
  3. Synovial membranes
  4. Cutaneous membrane

Cutaneous Membrane (Skin)

• Composed of two layers:
  • Top layer: Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium (top layers are dead cells)
  • Bottom layer: Connective tissue proper (contains collagen fibers)

Mucous Membranes

• Line passageways open to the external environment.
• Composed of epithelial and connective tissue.
• Covered with mucus secreted by goblet cells.
• Found in:
  • Digestive tract
  • Respiratory tract
  • Urinary tract
  • Reproductive tract

Serous Membranes

• Line body cavities not open to the external environment.
• Composed of simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue.
• Two layers:
  • Parietal layer
  • Visceral layer
• Contain a serous cavity filled with serous fluid.
• Locations:
  • Heart
  • Lungs
  • Abdominal cavity and organs (e.g., stomach)

Synovial Membranes

• Line some joints in the body.
• Composed of connective tissue with synoviocyte cells.
• Synoviocyte cells secrete synovial fluid to reduce friction within the joint cavity.

Summary

• Body membranes serve various functions depending on their location and composition.
• Important to know their structure and the areas they are associated with in the body.