SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM (MESOTHELIUM) forming part of the PERITONEUM--A SEROUS MEMBRANE THAT LINES THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY, 250X - stock photo

SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM (MESOTHELIUM) forming part of the PERITONEUM--A SEROUS MEMBRANE THAT LINES THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY, 250X Simple Squamous Epithelium is composed of a single layer of extremely thin squamous cells--this is a surface view so you can't see the extreme thinness of this tissue. Each Cell has a nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane (very wavy in appearance and stained heavily). This is sometimes called "Pavement Epithelium" resembling the cracks that sometimes occurs in concrete. The abdominal cavity is lined with the PERITONEUM which is composed in part of Mesothelium. The Peritoneum covers the visceral organs and also lines the abdominal wall. It secretes a serous fluid that acts as a lubricant. Mesothelium is also found in the pleural membranes that cover the lungs and line the pleural cavities. The Pleurae (pleural membranes) are also serous memranes that secrete a lubricating fluid. MESOTHELIOMA is a cancer that affects these membranes.