A single layer of flattened cells forming an epithelium that lines serous cavities; e.g., peritoneum, pleura, pericardium. [meso- + epithelium]
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me·so·the·li·um -'thē-lē-əm n, pl -lia -lē-ə epithelium derived from mesoderm that lines the body cavity of a vertebrate embryo and gives rise to epithelia (as of the peritoneum, pericardium, and pleurae), striated muscle, heart muscle, and several minor structures
me·so·the·li·al -lē-əl adj
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n.
the single layer of cells that lines serous membrane. It is derived from embryonic mesoderm. Compare epithelium.
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meso·the·li·um (mez″o-) (me″zo-theґle-əm) [meso- + epithelium] the layer of flat cells, derived from the mesoderm, that line the coelom or body cavity of the embryo. In the adult, it forms the simple squamous epithelium that covers all true serous membranes (peritoneum, pericardium, pleura). mesothelial adjMedical dictionary. 2011.