Meaning of Mesothelioma and Mesothelium
This article gives complete information on the mesothelium, mesothelium facts, types of mesothelium, and basic meaning of mesothelioma.
The not-so-easy-to-pronounce word Mesothelioma is a rare disease in the group of cancer diseases. To understand exactly what Mesothelioma is, it is first necessary to know all about the mesothelium. Definition of Mesothelium
To understand what the mesothelium is, let's consider an analogy: peas in a pod. The pod is the covering of what is inside, namely the peas. Similarly, the mesothelium is the covering of the organs within our body. While the pea pod comprises just one layer, though, the mesothelium comprises of 2 layers of cells. The outer layer is the layer which is right next to the body organ, whereas the inner layer is that which forms a kind of sheath around it. The mesothelium is not a passive form, however, but plays an active role – by releasing a fluid, it allows an organ which is constantly in motion to happily move around within its space. So now you know how your heart and lungs maintain their respective beats / contractions! Types of Mesothelium
Like peas in a pod, the mesothelium occupies multiple spots in the body (since we have multiple organs) and hence has varied names depending on that spot.
1. Pericardium is the mesothelium which wraps our heart, thereby acting as a shield to this all-important organ.
2. Pleura is the mesothelium which encircles (i) our lungs and (ii) the chest cavity wall.
3. Peritoneum is the mesothelium which covers the majority of the abdominal cavity organs.
4. Tunica vaginalis testis is the mesothelium which encloses the internal reproductive organs in males.
5. Tunica serosa uteri is the mesothelium which encloses the internal reproductive organs in females.
Note: The author of this article is not a medical expert & readers are advised to consult a specialist for information on mesothelioma.