mesothelium

The term "mesothelium" is generally reserved for the monolayer of flattened cells with epithelial features that lines serous cavities.

The term derives from a combination of the cells’mesodermal origin and their epithelial phenotype.

The major function of mesothelium is to provide a smooth, low-friction surface to facilitate the gliding motion of the lungs in the pleural cavity, the heart in the pericardial sac, and the viscera in the abdominal cavity.

This lubrication process is assisted by the presence of myriad bushy surface microvilli coated with hyaluronicacid–rich glycoproteins secreted by the mesothelialcells.

The mesothelial cells overlie an ill-defined layerof specialized mesenchymal cells involved in the constant repair of the surface mesothelium.

Pathology

 mesothelial lesions
 mesothelial regeneration
 mesothelial tumors (tumors of the serosal membranes)

 mesothelial cell

See also

 pleura
 pericardium
  peritoneum
 mesothelial cell