Serous Membranes and Their Development, Structure, and Topography

This review of normal development and morphology of pleura, pericard, and peritoneum is presented in order to contribute to a better understanding of several aspects of peritoneal adhesions. Developmental history explains some crucial situations in topographical anatomy. The development of the walls of the prospective body cavities is therefore specifically dealt with. The structure of the tissues, which constitute the serous membranes, define the limiting conditions of their ability to react by the formation of adhesions. Consequently, details regarding practical anatomy of the serous membranes are discussed.