Covering and Lining Membranes

10/16/2008Mucous Membranes• Lines body cavities that open to theexterior, such as those of the holloworgans of the digestive, respiratory, andurogenital tracts.• They are wet or moist membranes that arebathed by secretions.• The connective tissue portion of a mucousmembrane is called the lamina propria.Mucous Membrane continued…• The epithelial sheet is directly underlain bya layer of loose connective tissue calledthe lamina propria.• Are often adapted for absorption andsecretion.Serous Membranes• Moist membranes found in closed ventralbody cavities.• Consists of simple squamous epitheliumresting on a thin layer of loose connectivetissue.• Parietal lines the outer wall of the internalchamber. The visceral portion coversorgans within the body cavity.2