Serous fluid

Serous fluid

In physiology, the term serous fluid is used for various bodily fluids that are typically pale yellow and transparent, and of a benign nature.

Saliva consists of mucus and serous fluid; the serous fluid contains the enzyme amylase important for the digestion of carbohydrates. Minor salivary glands of von Ebner present on the tongue secrete the amylase. The parotid gland produces purely serous saliva. The other major salivary glands produce mixed (serous and mucus) saliva.

Another type of serous fluid is secreted by the serous membranes (or serosa), two layered membranes which line the body cavities. The serous fluid between the two layers acts as a lubricant and reduces friction from muscle movement.

A common trait of serous fluids is their role in assisting digestion, excretion, and respiration.

Blood serum is the liquid part of blood remaining after clotting, and is therefore lacking in clotting factors. It is therefore distinct from blood plasma.

See also

* Blood plasma, the liquid portion of blood with clotting factors
* Seroma, a pocket of serous fluid within the body
* Serous glands


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  • serous fluid — n. any of several serumlike fluids in the body cavities, esp. in those lined with serous membrane …   English World dictionary

  • serous fluid — any of various clear, watery fluids in the body. * * * serous fluid, any one of various animal liquids resembling blood serum, such as the fluids of the serous membranes …   Useful english dictionary

  • serous fluid — normal lymph of a serous cavity …   Medical dictionary

  • serous fluid — /sɪərəs ˈfluəd/ (say searruhs floohuhd) noun any of various animal liquids resembling blood serum, as the fluids of the serous membranes …  

  • serous fluid — any of various clear, watery fluids in the body. * * * …   Universalium

  • serous membrane — n any of various thin membranes (as the peritoneum, pericardium, or pleurae) that consist of a single layer of thin flat mesothelial cells resting on a connective tissue stroma, secrete a serous fluid, and usu. line bodily cavities or enclose the …   Medical dictionary

  • serous cell — n a cell (as of the parotid gland) that secretes a serous fluid * * * a cell concerned in the secretion of a watery fluid rich in protein, like the secretory cells of the parotid gland; called also albuminous c …   Medical dictionary

  • serous cavity — n a cavity (as the peritoneal cavity, pleural cavity, or pericardial cavity) that is lined with a serous membrane * * * a coelomic cavity that does not communicate with the outside of the body and whose lining membrane secretes a serous fluid,… …   Medical dictionary

  • serous gland — n a gland secreting a serous fluid * * * a gland that secretes a watery albuminous material, commonly but not always containing enzymes …   Medical dictionary

  • Serous membrane — Infobox Anatomy Name = PAGENAME Latin = tunica serosa GraySubject = GrayPage = Caption = Layers of the enteric nervous system. (Serosa at top, in red.) Caption2 = Stomach. (Serosa is labeled at far right, and is colored yellow.) Precursor =… …   Wikipedia

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