In this video we look at the different types of membranes in the body, mucous membranes, serous membranes, synovial membranes, and the cutaneous membrane.



Transcript/Notes

Body membranes

In this video we are going to go over the types of body membranes, their structures, and the different areas in the body that they are located.

Body membranes are comprised of epithelial tissue and connective tissue, and there are 4 types found in the body; mucous membranes, serous membranes, synovial membranes, and the cutaneous membrane.

Let’s start by looking at the cutaneous membrane, which is also known as the skin. It is composed of a top layer of epithelium and a bottom layer of connective tissue. The top epithelial layer is comprised of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, in which the top superficial layers of cells are dead. And the bottom connective tissue layer is made up of connective tissue proper which contains many collagen fibers.

Mucous membranes line many passageways that open up to the external environment. Mucous membranes are also composed of epithelium and connective tissue. In many areas of the body these membranes are covered with mucus secreted by goblet cells that are part of the epithelial layer. Mucous membranes line the digestive tract, respiratory tract, urinary and reproductive tracts.

Serous membranes line many of the body cavities that are not open to the external environment. Serous membranes are comprised of simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue, and they actually have 2 layers; a parietal layer and a visceral layer. In between these 2 layers is the serous cavity which contains serous fluid. Serous membranes line the heart, lungs, and the abdominal cavity and abdominal organs such as the stomach.

Synovial membranes line some of the joints in the body. They are composed of squamous epithelial cells and areolar connective tissue. The cells secrete synovial fluid that fills the joint cavity which helps to reduce friction.

Timestamps
0:00 Overview of body membranes
0:21 The cutaneous membrane (the skin)
0:45 Mucous membranes
1:09 Serous membranes
1:36 Synovial membranes