mesothelia

mes·o·the·li·um   (měz'ə-thē'lē-əm, měs'-)    n.   pl. mes·o·the·li·a (-lē-ə) The layer of flat cells of mesodermal origin that lines the embryonic body cavity and gives rise to the squamous cells of the peritoneum, pericardium, and pleura. [meso- + (epi)thelium.] mes'o·the'li·al adj.

Main Entry: me·so·the·li·um
Pronunciation: -'thE-lE-&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural me·so·the·lia /-lE-&/
: epithelium derived from mesoderm that lines the body cavity of a vertebrate embryo and gives rise to epithelia (as of theperitoneum, pericardium, and pleurae), striated muscle, heart muscle, and several minor structures —me·so·the·li·al /-lE-&l/ adjective

mesothelium mes·o·the·li·um (měz'ə-thē'lē-əm, měs'-)
n. pl. mes·o·the·li·a (-lē-ə)
The layer of flat cells of mesodermal origin that lines the embryonic body cavity and gives rise to the squamous cells of the peritoneum, pericardium, and pleura.

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mes'o·the'li·al adj.

mesothelium   (měz'ə-thē'lē-əm)  Pronunciation Key  Plural mesothelia A layer of flattened epithelial cells that lines the membranes of closed body cavities, including the pericardium, pleurae, and peritoneum. Compare endothelium.