What is a mesothelium?

You need to know about mesothelium in order to understand mesothelioma.

Mesothelium is a thin protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelium has two layers, inner and outer. Mesothelial cells produces a lubricating fluid that is released in the space between these two layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures without friction.

Mesothelium is known by various names depending on location in the body. There two main types: pleura and peritoneum. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs. The peritoneum is the mesothelium that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pericardium is the mesothelium of heart that covers and protects the heart. In fact, male and female reproductive organs are also surrounded by mesothelium. The mesothelial lining that surrounds the testis is called tunica vaginalis testis. Similarly, the tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.