Donnette

Mesothelium cells serve the function of producing the lubricating fluid that enables the body organs contained within their cavities to move and slide freely. The lungs will move freely during the process of breathing. The mesothelium in the chest cavity covers the inner lining of the chest wall and is called parietal pleura. The lungs are also covered almost completely by mesothelium. This portion of the mesothelium covering the lungs proper is called parietal pleura. By their secretions the lungs move freely during inspiration and expiration.

The abdominal cavity has a similar configuration. The inner lining of the abdominal cavity is invested by mesothelium called the parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the surfaces of the intestines and other organs in the abdomen including liver and spleen. Some portions of the intestine are freely mobile and dangle on tissue pedicle called mesentery which is sandwiched on both surfaces by visceral peritoneum. Examples of these include most of the small intestine, transverse large intestine, sigmoid large intestine, and portions of the underbelly of the liver.

The intestines will move freely during digestion, the heart will move freely during its contracting functions, and the testicles will also freely slide in the testicular cavity. The development of mesothelioma will therefore either destroy the organs contained within these cavities by directly invading them or encase them restricting their movements like a "boar constrictor" only very slowly. As you can imagine, when these scenarios occur, the functions of the lungs, heart, and organs of the abdominal cavity will be severely compromised leading to a variety of unpleasant and life threatnening effects or symptoms of the disease and death.

Ike Uzoaru, M.D. http://www.nojargonmesothelioma.com