Based on Your Reading:
Get Your Free Mesothelioma Guide
Find a Top Mesothelioma Doctor
Access Help Paying for Treatment
Mesothelium
Table Of Contents
The mesothelium is a protective membrane that covers the lungs, abdomen, heart and testes. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the mesothelium as a result of asbestos exposure.
Chrysotile (white) asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and the primary cause mesothelioma.
Written by Karen Selby, RN • Edited By Walter Pacheco • Medically Reviewed By Dr. Andrea Wolf
Fact Checked
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Reviewed
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
- Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
- Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- 5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
Testimonials
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
How to Cite Asbestos.com’s Article
APA
Selby, K. (2024, February 2). Mesothelium. Asbestos.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/causes/mesothelium/
MLA
Selby, Karen. "Mesothelium." Asbestos.com, 2 Feb 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/causes/mesothelium/.
Chicago
Selby, Karen. "Mesothelium." Asbestos.com. Last modified February 2, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/causes/mesothelium/.
What Is the Mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a layer of cells that covers and protects organs and tissue in the body. It also helps regulate response to injury, infection and disease.
Research suggests that it may have other functions, as well. The mesothelium may play a role in transporting fluid and controlling inflammation.
The mesothelium goes by different names depending upon the parts of the body it covers.
- The pleura covers the lungs and chest wall
- The peritoneum covers the abdominal organs and abdominal wall
- The pericardium covers the heart
- The tunica vaginalis covers the testes
Asbestos can harm the mesothelium. Once inhaled or ingested, the toxic fibers become stuck. Over time, they irritate cells and tissue.
Research suggests that the lymphatic system may play a role. Fibers may travel to the mesothelium with help from the lymph system.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in the mesothelium.
Mesothelium Structure and Function
The mesothelium is made up of two layers.
- The visceral layer covers the organ
- The parietal layer covers the body cavity
Mesothelial cells comprise these layers. These cells are a type of epithelial cell. They appear flat and squamous-like.
Quick Fact:
The mesothelium is a slowly renewing tissue. Less than 1% of the cells undergo cell division at any one time.
The primary function of the mesothelium is to provide a protective surface. This surface is flexible and not restrictive of the organs it covers.
Other functions of the mesothelium include:
- Transporting fluids and cells
- Inflammation and tissue repair
- Protection against invading microorganisms
- Presenting antigens (immune proteins) to lymphocytes (immune cells)
- Blood clotting to heal wounds
- Tumor cell adhesion to prevent cancerous spreading
Diseases of the Mesothelium
Cancer can develop in the mesothelium after inflammation and scarring. If the damage does not heal, the mesothelium can develop fibrous adhesions. These changes in mesothelial cells lead to malignant mesothelioma and other cancers.
Effusions are the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the mesothelium. They can develop as a result of inflammation and cancer in the mesothelium. Effusions are a symptom of mesothelial diseases. They are not a primary condition.
- Pleural effusion accumulates around the lungs.
- Peritoneal effusion accumulates around the abdomen.
Pleural Diseases
Benign and cancerous diseases of the pleura can develop as a result of asbestos exposure.
- Pleuritis is inflammation of the pleura.
- Pleural plaques are fibrous scar tissue on the pleura that may become calcified.
- Pleural thickening is extensive scarring that thickens and restricts the pleura.
- Atelectasis is a contraction of pleural scar tissue that folds the pleura into the lung. This causes the lungs to underinflate.
- Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura.
Peritoneal Diseases
Benign and cancerous diseases can also develop in the peritoneum.
- Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer of the peritoneum.
- Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma is another cancer of the peritoneum.
Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Inflammation of the peritoneum is peritonitis. Bacterial or fungal infections are the most common causes.
Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma is a type of cancer that can also occur in this area. A 2022 study likened it to advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma.
Pericardial Diseases
Several benign conditions and cancers can develop in the pericardium.
- Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.
- Cardiac tamponade is compression of the heart by fluid accumulation.
- Pericardial constriction is scarring and a loss of elasticity of the pericardium.
- Pericardial mesothelioma is cancer of the pericardium.
- Several other cancers can develop in the pericardium, including sarcomas, lymphoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
Tunica Vaginalis Diseases
Benign and cancerous diseases can develop in the tunica vaginalis.
- Hydrocele is an abnormal amount of fluid between the layers of the tunica vaginalis.
- Scrotal calculi are calcified deposits that form between the layers of the tunica vaginalis.
- Fibrous pseudotumors are benign lesions of the tunica vaginalis.
- Testicular mesothelioma is cancer of the tunica vaginalis.
- Several other cancers can develop in the tunica vaginalis including mesenchymal tumors, lymphomas and serous borderline tumors.
- A few benign tumors can develop as well, including adenomatoid tumor, scrotal tunica cyst, lipoma and leiomyoma.
The mesothelium plays an important role in protecting organs and responding to inflammation, injury and disease.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have a history of asbestos exposure and develop abnormal symptoms affecting the lungs, abdomen, heart or testes.
The Nation's Top Mesothelioma Guide
Get Compensation You Deserve
Immunotherapy & Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
