Serous fluid

In physiology, the term serous fluid or serosal fluid (originating from the Medieval Latin word serosus,
from Latin serum) is any of various body fluids resembling serum, that are typically pale yellow or
transparent and of a benign nature. The fluid fills the inside of body cavities. Serous fluid originates from
serous glands, with secretions enriched with proteins and water. Serous fluid may also originate from mixed
glands, which contain both mucous and serous cells. A common trait of serous fluids is their role in
assisting digestion, excretion, and respiration.

In medical fields, especially cytopathology, serous fluid is a synonym for effusion fluids from various body
cavities. Examples of effusion fluid are pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. There are many causes of
effusions which include involvement of the cavity by cancer. Cancer in a serous cavity is called a serous
carcinoma. Cytopathology evaluation is recommended to evaluate the causes of effusions in these
cavities.[1]

Examples
Saliva consists of mucus and serous fluid; the serous fluid contains the enzyme amylase, which is important
for the digestion of carbohydrates. Minor salivary glands of von Ebner present on the tongue secrete the
lipase. 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 (serosa), two-layered membranes which
line the body cavities. Serous membrane fluid collects on microvilli on the outer layer and acts as a
lubricant and reduces friction from muscle movement. This can be seen in the lungs, with the pleural cavity.

Pericardial fluid is a serous fluid secreted by the serous layer of the pericardium into the pericardial cavity.
The pericardium consists of two layers, an outer fibrous layer and the inner serous layer. This serous layer
has two membranes which enclose the pericardial cavity into which is secreted the pericardial fluid.

Blood serum is the component of blood that is neither a blood cell, nor a clotting factor. Blood serum and
blood plasma are similar, but serum does not contain any clotting factors, such as fibrinogen, prothrombin,
thromboplastin and many others. Serum includes all proteins not used in coagulation (clotting), and all the
electrolytes, antibodies, antigens, hormones, and any exogenous substances, like drugs and
microorganisms.

See also
Seroma

References
1. Shidham, Vinod B.; Atkinson, Barbara F. (2007). Cytopathologic diagnosis of serous fluids
(1 ed.). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4160-0145-4.

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