Mesothelial tissue

Mesothelial tissue lines the cavity of the body, such as the thoracic cavity (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and heart sac (pericardium) with a main function to lubricate the surface for protection and limit potential friction. Mesothelial tissue surrounds most internal organs, and the mesothelial layer covering the organs are called visceral mesothelium while the separate layer of tissue covering the wall of the body or cavity is called parietal mesothelium.

The mesothelium is a monolayer of flat squamous epithelial cells, with a thin basement membrane layer underneath and supported by dense connective tissue.