membrane

Noun
  1. A thin pliable sheet of material (synset 103749252)
    is a type of: flat solid, sheet - a flat artifact that is thin relative to its length and width
    subtypes:
    • drumhead, head - a membrane that is stretched taut over a drum
    • gel, gelatin - a thin translucent membrane used over stage lights for color effects
  2. A pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants (synset 105433820)
    is a type of: animal tissue - the tissue in the bodies of animals
    subtypes:
    • trophoblast - the membrane that forms the wall of the blastocyst in early development; aids implantation in the uterine wall
    • chorioallantoic membrane, chorioallantois - the very vascular fetal membrane composed of the fused chorion and adjacent wall of the allantois
    • web - membrane connecting the toes of some aquatic birds and mammals
    • bowman's capsule, capsula glomeruli, glomerular capsule - thin double membrane surrounding the glomerulus of a nephron
    • axolemma - outer membrane covering an axon
    • basilar membrane - a membrane in the cochlea that supports the organ of Corti
    • fetal membrane - any membrane that functions for the protection or nourishment or respiration or excretion of a developing fetus
    • choroid, choroid coat - a highly vascular membrane in the eye between the retina and the sclera; a dark pigmentation minimizes the scattering of light inside the eye
    • ciliary body - the part of the tunic of the eye between the choroid coat and the iris
    • cornea - the transparent dome-shaped anterior portion of the outer covering of the eye; it covers the iris and pupil and is continuous with the sclera
    • diaphragm, midriff - (anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities; functions in respiration
    • eardrum, myringa, tympanic membrane, tympanum - the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
    • endocranium - membrane lining the inside of the skull
    • endosteum - vascular membrane that lines the inner surface of long bones
    • ependyma - thin epithelial membrane lining the ventricles of the brain and the spinal cord canal
    • fertilization membrane - the membrane that forms around a fertilized ovum and prevents penetration by additional spermatozoon
    • hyaloid, hyaloid membrane - the transparent membrane enveloping the vitreous humor of the eye and separating it from the retina
    • intima - the innermost membrane of an organ (especially the inner lining of an artery or vein or lymphatic vessel)
    • iris - muscular diaphragm that controls the size of the pupil which in turn controls the amount of light that enters the eye; it forms the colored portion of the eye
    • lamella - a thin membrane that is one of the calcified layers that form bones
    • meninges, meninx - a membrane (one of 3) that envelops the brain and spinal cord
    • mucosa, mucous membrane - mucus-secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior
    • periosteum - a dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment for tendons and muscles; contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the enclosed bone
    • perithelium - tissue layer around small blood vessels
    • retina - the innermost light-sensitive membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the optic nerve
    • sarcolemma - an extensible membrane enclosing the contractile substance of a muscle fiber
    • semipermeable membrane - a membrane (as a cell membrane) that allows some molecules to pass through but not others
    • serosa, serous membrane - a thin membrane lining the closed cavities of the body; has two layers with a space between that is filled with serous fluid
    • synovial membrane, synovium - a thin membrane in synovial (freely moving) joints that lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid
    • adventitia, tunic, tunica - an enveloping or covering membrane or layer of body tissue
    substance holonym: phospholipid - any of various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base; an important constituent of membranes
    same as: tissue layer

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