What is mesothelioma?
The mesothelium is a membrane that protects several of the body’s internal organs. Special cells known as mesothelial cells make up the two layers of this unique, protective membrane. The first layer, or visceral layer, is directly connected to the organ in which it is protecting, the second layer or parietal layer, surrounds the organ as to form a pouch for protection. The mesothelial cells produce and release a lubricating fluid that decreases friction between organs and their neighboring structures. Examples of mesothelial membranes found in the body include, the pleura, found surrounding the lungs, the peritoneum, found in the stomach, the pericardium, found in the heart, the tunica vaginalis testis, found in the male testis, and the tunica serosa uteri, found in the female ovaries.