- The function of mucus membrane varies
BODY MEMBRANES has three main functions
• Cover body surfaces
• Line body cavities
• Form protective sheets around organs
And body membranes are also classified according
to the tissue types
The body membranes are classified into two types
which is epithelial membranes and connective
tissue membranes.
• Epithelial tissue covers and lines your outer
and inner body
• Connective tissue serves as a cushion for the
organs or protects the organs and provides
support
Epithelial membranes
• Cutaneous membranes
• Mucous membranes
• Serous membranes
Connective tissue membranes
• Synovial membranes
- Cutaneous membrane is also called as the
SKIN
- It is a dry membrane because it is usually
composed of Keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium
- Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
is found in the skin and it is consisted of living
cells in the deepest layer and in the outer
most layer is composed of dead cells
containing the protein Keratin.
- That’s why Keratinized cells give the tissue
dry, durable and moisture-resistant
character.
Mucous membrane
- it consists of epithelial cells, basement
membrane and a thick layer of loose
connective tissue called lamina propria.
- It also lines cavities and canals that open to
the outside of the body or the external
surface.
depending on the location it includes
protection, absorption and secretion.
- For example, the stratified squamous
epithelium of the oral cavity or in the mouth
performs a protective function
- While the simple columnar epithelium of the
small intestine absorbs nutrients and
secretes digestive enzymes and mucus
- Mucous membranes also contain goblet cells
that secretes mucus which is a viscous
protein substance
- It is also seen or lines in the nasal passages
and when it becomes inflamed, we
experience the “runny nose”
SEROUS MEMBRANE
• Surface is a layer of simple squamous
epithelium
• Underlying layer is a thin layer of areolar
connective tissue
Areolar connective tissue holds organs in place and
attaches epithelial tissue to other underlying tissues
• Lines open body cavities that are closed to
the exterior of the body
If Mucous membrane lines the cavities that open to
the outside of the body Serous membranes lines
cavities that do not open to the exterior of the body
such as pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities.
• Serous membranes occur in pairs separated
by serous fluid
• Visceral layer covers the outside of
the organ
• Parietal layer lines a portion of the
wall of ventral body cavity
•
Parietal membranes are found against the outer
wall of a body cavity
Visceral membrane is found cover the organs in a
body cavity
CONNECTIVE TISSUE MEMBRANE
SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE
• Connective tissue only
It is only made up of connective tissue
• Lines fibrous capsules surrounding joints
• Secretes a lubricating fluid
It produces synovial fluid which is rich in hyaluronic
acid which make the joint very slippery
Hyaluronic acid’s main function is to retain water to
keep your tissues well lubricated and moist.
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
• Skin (cutaneous membrane)
• Skin derivatives
• Sweat glands
There are two types of sweat glands:
• Eccrine gland
The most common type of sweat gland
that open directly onto the surface of the
skin through sweat pores
It is distributed over the majority areas of
the body.
• Apocrine gland
Gland that usually open into hair follicles.
It is usually found in the scrotum and
labia majora (part of the vagina)
Unlike eccrine gland it does not help
regulate temperature in humans
• Oil glands
Also called Sebaceous gland that produces sebum,
an oily, white substance rich in lipids.
Secretion of sebum onto the hair and surrounding
skin prevents drying and protection against
bacteria.
• Hair
In humans, hair is found everywhere except for the
palms, soles, lips, nipples, parts of the external
genitalia and the distal segments of fingers and toes
• Nails
Thin plate consisting of layers of dead stratum
corneum cells that contain a very hard type of
keratin. Keratin is a protein which make cells more
durable.
SKIN FUNCTIONS
• Protects deeper tissues from:
• Mechanical damage (bumps)
Protects the body from trauma or damage and
serves as a shock absorber
• Chemical damage (acids and bases)
• Bacterial damage
Protects against infections and foreign invaders
• Ultraviolet radiation (sunlight)
Protects the skin from damage caused by UV light
from the sun. When the skin is exposed to UV light
the skin produces a molecule that can be
transformed into Vitamin D.
• Thermal damage (heat or cold)
Skin plays a major role in regulating body
temperature through the activity of sweat gland
• Desiccation (drying out)
Keeps the body from becoming dehydrated (by
storing water)
SKIN STRUCTURE
• Epidermis—outer layer
• Stratified squamous epithelium
• Cornified or keratinized (hardened by
keratin) to prevent water loss
• Avascular
Epidermis do not contain any blood vessels
• Most cells are keratinocytes
Keratinocytes produce keratin
Quick Trivia
Blast means to create/produce
Cytes mean to maintain it
Clast means to break it
• Dermis
Dense connective tissue
• Subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is deep
to dermis
• Not technically part of the skin
• Anchors skin to underlying organs
• Composed mostly of adipose tissue
Approximately half of the body’s stored lipids are in
the subcutaneous tissue where they function in
insulation and as a source of energy.
LAYERS OF EPIDERMIS
• Stratum basale (stratum germinativum)
• Deepest layer of epidermis
• Single layer of cuboidal or columnar
cells
• Lies next to dermis
 • Wavy borderline with the dermis
anchors the two together
• Cells undergoing mitosis
Keratinocyte stem cells of the stratum basale
undergo mitotic division approximately every 19
days
• Daughter cells are pushed upward to
become the more superficial layers
One daughter cell remains a stem cell in the stratum
basale and divides again but the other cell is pushes
upward to the surface become keratinized
• Keratinization is used to describe cells
producing large amounts of a protein called
keratin. Cells that produce keratin are
stronger than other cells which makes them
good at forming a barrier between the
outside world and in the inside of the body.
LAMELLAR BODIES - Specifically regulated form for
the storage and secretion of certain lipids