The mesothelium

Last medical review:

The mesothelium is the membrane that lines cavities in the body and surrounds most of your internal organs. The mesothelium has different names depending on where it is in the body.

The pleura

The pleura is the part of the mesothelium in the chest.

Diagram of the pleura
Diagram of the pleura

The parietal pleura is the outer layer. It lines the inside of the chest wall and covers the top of the diaphragm.

The visceral pleura is the inner layer. It surrounds and supports each lung.

The pleural space is between the 2 layers of the pleura. It contains fluid that cushions the lungs and allows them to expand smoothly inside the chest.

The peritoneum

The peritoneum is the part of the mesothelium in the abdomen and pelvis.

Diagram of the peritoneum
Diagram of the peritoneum

The parietal peritoneum is the outer layer. It lines the abdominal wall and the pelvis.

The visceral peritoneum is the inner layer. It surrounds and supports most of the organs in the abdomen and pelvis. The omentum is a part of the visceral peritoneum.

The peritoneal space is between the 2 layers of the peritoneum. It contains fluid, which cushions the organs.

The mesothelium in other parts of the body

The pericardium is the membrane that covers and protects the heart.

The tunica vaginalis is the membrane that surrounds each testicle.

Expert review and references

  • John Cho, MD, PhD, FRCPC
  • American Cancer Society. Malignant Mesothelioma. 2018. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • Pass H, Carbone M, Tsao A, Rosenzweig Z. Benign and Malignant Mesothelioma. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg S. eds. DeVita Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2023: Kindle version, [chapter 76], https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Pleural Mesothelioma. 2022.
  • Nowak AK, Edwards JG, Creaney J. Mesothelioma. Raghavan D, Ahluwalia MS, Blanke CD, et al, eds.. Textbook of Uncommon Cancer. 5th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell; 2017: Kindle version (chapter 16) https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B06XKD44V3&_encoding=UTF8&ref=dbs_p_ebk_r00_pbcb_rnvc00.
  • Sauter JL, Dacic S, Galateau-Salle F, et al. The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Pleura: Advances Since the 2015 Classification. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2022: 17(5):608–622.

Your trusted source for accurate cancer information

With just $5 from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.

We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.

If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2025 Canadian Cancer Society