Serosa is also known as a serous membrane.
Understanding Serosa and Serous Membranes
The term "serosa" refers to a thin membrane that lines the body cavities and covers many internal organs. This membrane secretes a lubricating fluid, allowing organs to move smoothly against each other. Its primary function is to reduce friction and protect internal structures.
The provided references confirm this, stating that serosa is another name for a serous membrane. The Latin anatomical name for this structure is tunica serosa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serous_membrane Further supporting this, Merriam-Webster defines serosa as "a usually enclosing serous membrane." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serosa The National Cancer Institute (NCI) also defines serosa as "the outer lining of organs and body cavities of the abdomen and chest, including the stomach. Also called serous membrane." https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/serosa
The anatomy of the digestive tract, for example, highlights the serosa as the outermost layer, sitting above the muscularis mucosae and submucosa. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54098/
Key Features of Serous Membranes:
- Lubrication: Secretes fluid to minimize friction between organs.
- Protection: Acts as a protective barrier.
- Location: Lines body cavities and covers organs within those cavities.
