What are the main types of tissue membranes?

There are two main types of tissue membranes – Epithelial tissue membranes and Connective tissue membranes. 

Epithelial tissue membranes 

Mucous membranes, cutaneous membranes, and serous membranes are all types of epithelial tissue membranes. 

Mucous membranes are coated with mucous gland secretion. They line the body cavities and hollow passageways that open to the external environment such as the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and urinary tracts. 

The cutaneous membrane refers to the skin that covers the outside of the body. It has an apical surface (exposed to the environment) covered with dead, keratinized cells that offer the body protection against desiccation and pathogens.  

Serous membranes line body cavities that do not open to the outside (coelomic cavities) and encapsulate the organs located within those cavities such as the pericardial, pleural, peritoneal, and thoracic cavities. Cells within the serous membrane secrete a lubricating fluid that helps to reduce friction from muscle movements. 

Connective tissue membranes

Connective tissue membranes are formed exclusively from connective tissue. They form an envelope surrounding organs such as the kidneys. 

A synovial membrane is a type of connective tissue membrane that surround the cavity of freely movable joints of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. The synovial membrane has fibroblasts in the inner layer, which facilitate the production of  the synovial fluid, a natural lubricant that allows the bones of a joint to move against each other freely without friction.