Quick Facts
The serosa is the membrane lining the walls of various body cavities, reflected over the surfaces of protruding organs; it consists of mesothelium lying upon a subserosal connective tissue layer, and it secretes a watery exudate (Dorland, 2011).
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure/Morphology
The serosa (or visceral peritoneum) is a membrane that lines the outer wall of the transverse colon. It is continuous with the transverse mesocolon, the mesentery that suspends the transverse colon.
The serosa is composed of two layers. It is a continuous sheet of squamous epithelial cells (mesothelium), which are supported by an underlying layer of thin loose connective tissue. The loose connective tissue separates the mesothelium from the muscular layer.
Anatomical Relations
The serosa forms the outermost layer of the transverse colon.
Function
The serosa acts as a protective layer by forming a barrier against potential inflammatory and malignant spread.
List of Clinical Correlates
—Iatrogenic serosal tear
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
