What is the Difference Between Visceral and Parietal Serous Membranes?

Visceral and parietal serous membranes are two types of serous membranes that line body cavities and cover internal organs. The key difference between them lies in their location and function:

Visceral Serous Membranes: These are the inner layers that cover internal organs within a body cavity. They allow the organs to move freely relative to one another and reduce friction between them.
Parietal Serous Membranes: These are the outer layers that line the wall of a body cavity. They are typically attached to a larger, sturdy structure.

Both visceral and parietal serous membranes are composed of a mesothelial cell layer and are mesodermally-derived epithelia. They are supported by connective tissue and form an airtight seal around the body cavity. These membranes protect internal organs and regulate the movement of fluids and other substances across the membrane. A thin fluid-filled space between the two layers of serous membranes reduces friction during movement, such as when the lungs inflate or the heart beats.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Visceral and Parietal Serous Membranes?

Comparative Table: Visceral vs Parietal Serous Membranes

Here is a table summarizing the differences between visceral and parietal serous membranes:

Feature	Visceral Serous Membranes	Parietal Serous Membranes
Definition	Visceral serous membranes are the inner layers that cover internal organs within body cavities.	Parietal serous membranes are the outer layers that line the walls of body cavities.
Location	Found inside the body cavities in the following locations: heart, lungs, and abdomen.	Found outside the body cavities in the following locations: heart, lungs, and abdomen.
Function	Hold internal organs in place within the respective body cavity and allow organs to move freely relative to one another.	Hold body cavities in place and allow frictionless movement of internal organs within the cavity.
Other Terms	Named based on the body cavity they are located in, such as visceral pleura for the pleural cavities, visceral pericardium for the pericardial cavity, and visceral peritoneum for the abdominopelvic cavity.	Named based on the body cavity they are located in, such as parietal pleura for the pleural cavities, parietal pericardium for the pericardial cavity, and parietal peritoneum for the abdominopelvic cavity.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.