Why are there so many blood vessels adjacent to the serosa? What is their function? Solution serosa is a smooth membrane that consists of a thin connective tissue layer and a thin layer of cells that secrete serous fluid. Serous membranes line and enclose several body cavities, known as serous cavities, where they secrete a lubricating fluid to reduce friction from muscle movements. Serosa is not to be confused with adventitia , a connective tissue layer that binds together structures rather than reduces friction between them. Each serous membrane is composed of a secretory epithelial layer and a connective tissue layer underneath. The epithelial layer, known as mesothelium, consists of a single layer of avascular flat nucleated cells (simple squamous epithelium) that produce the lubricating serous fluid. This fluid has a consistency similar to thin mucus . These cells are bound tightly to the underlying connective tissue. The connective tissue layer provides the blood vessels and nerves for the overlying secretory cells, and also serves as the binding layer that allows the whole serous membrane to adhere to organs and other structures. For the heart, the surrounding serous membranes include: the outer, inner, parietal pericardium, and visceral pericardium (epicardium). Other parts of the body may also have specific names for these structures. For example, the serosa of the uterus is called the perimetrium. The pericardial cavity (surrounding the heart), pleural cavity (surrounding the lungs) and peritoneal cavity (surrounding most organs of the abdomen) are the three serous cavities within the human body. While serous membranes have a lubricative role to play in all three cavities, in the pleural cavity it has a greater role to play in the function of breathing . The serous cavities are formed from the intraembryonic coelom and are basically an empty space within the body surrounded by a serous membrane. Early in embryonic life, visceral organs develop adjacent to a cavity and invaginate into the bag-like coelom. Therefore each organ becomes surrounded by a serous membrane—they do not lie within the serous cavity. The layer in contact with the organ is known as the visceral layer, while the parietal layer is in contact with the body wall. Function- The function of a serous membrane is to secrete a lubricant, appropriately called serous fluid . Why? Well, imagine rubbing your dry hands together over and over again. What would happen? First, they would heat up due to friction. Then, they would start to turn red. The more you keep doing it, the more painful it will become. Not long after (and please don\'t actually do this), you\'ll notice the skin begins to shred and break apart due to all the friction. Had you used a little lubrication prior to rubbing your hands together, this wouldn\'t have happened. Now imagine the internal body organs within, say, the abdomen. The serosa that lines the abdominal cavity and its organs is called the periton.