Definition of membranes Membranes

/mɛˈmbɹejˌnz/ - [membreynz] -

We found 3 definitions of membranes from 2 different sources.

What does membranes mean?

Wiktionary

membranes (Noun)
Plural of membrane.

Part of speech

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membranes, noun, plural of membrane.

WordNet

Noun Plural: membranes
membrane - a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants
		tissue layer
		animal tissue the tissue in the bodies of animals
		trophoblast the membrane that forms the wall of the blastocyst in early development; aids implantation in the uterine wall; "after implantation of the blastocyst in the uterine wall the trophoblast divides into two layers, the chorion and the placenta"
		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; "the ciliary body produces aqueous humor"
		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
		midriff, diaphragm a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens; "the new cameras adjust the diaphragm automatically"
		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 diaphragm consisting of thin overlapping plates that can be adjusted to change the diameter of a central opening
		lamella thin plate
		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, tunica, tunic any of a variety of loose fitting cloaks extending to the hips or knees
membrane - a thin pliable sheet of material
		flat solid, sheet bed linen consisting of a large rectangular piece of cotton or linen cloth; used in pairs
		drumhead, head a membrane that is stretched taut over a drum

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Wiktionary

membrane (Noun)
A flexible enclosing or separating tissue forming a plane or film and separating two environments usually in a plant or animal.
membrane (Noun)
A mechanical, thin, flat flexible part that can deform or vibrate when excited by an external force.
membrane (Noun)
A flexible or semi-flexible covering or waterproofing whose primary function is to exclude water.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

membrane (n.)
A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a fibrous network, serving to cover or line some part or organ, and often secreting or absorbing certain fluids.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

membrane
A thin tissue that encloses or lines biological cells, organs, or other structures.

Wikipedia

A membrane is a thin soft layer of material. A membrane separates two things.

In biology a membrane can be mean two things: a tissue or plasma membrane. Plasma membranes are very small. Tissue membranes are bigger.

Membrane as tissue.

A membrane can mean a thin layer of cells or tissue. This layer covers, separates, or lines a tissue or organ. An example is the mucous membrane that is the "skin" that lines the inside of your nose and mouth.

Plasma membranes.

The plasma membrane covers cells. Plasma membranes also divide the cell into different spaces called organelles. Organelles are special areas of the cell that do different work. For example, the nucleus holds the DNA in a cell. The mitochondria make energy for the cell.

Plasma membranes are made of lipids (fats) and protein. The lipids keep the inside of the cell separate from the outside. The proteins do many things. They give the cell messages from outside. They let some things (like glucose, calcium, and potassium) go into and out of the cell.