Membrane
A membrane is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others. Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles. Membranes can be generally classified into synthetic membranes and biological membranes. ...
most commonly means a thin, selective barrier, but it is sometimes used for films that function as separators, like biological membranes. Membrane may also refer to:
Biology:
* Isolating
tissues formed by layers of cells
**
Amnion
The amnion is a membrane that closely covers the human and various other embryos when first formed. It fills with amniotic fluid, which causes the amnion to expand and become the amniotic sac that provides a protective environment for the develo ...
, a membrane in the amniotic sac
**
Basement membrane
The basement membrane is a thin, pliable sheet-like type of extracellular matrix that provides cell and tissue support and acts as a platform for complex signalling. The basement membrane sits between epithelial tissues including mesothelium an ...
, a thin sheet of fibers that underlies the epithelium
**
Chorioallantoic membrane, a vascular membrane found in eggs of birds, reptiles and other animals
**
Eardrum
In the anatomy of humans and various other tetrapods, the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane or myringa, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit sound from the ...
, more formally known as ''Tympanic membrane''
**
Fetal membrane, the amnion and chorion which surround and protect a developing fetus
**
Mucous membrane
A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It i ...
, linings of mostly endodermal origin which are involved in absorption and secretion
**
Serous membrane, a smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells, which secrete serous fluid
**
Tunic membrane, protective membrane covering the testes
**
Patagium
The patagium (plural: patagia) is a membranous body part that assists an animal in obtaining lift when gliding or flight. The structure is found in extant and extinct groups of flying and gliding animals including bats, birds, some dromaeos ...
, also known as "flight membrane", in some
flying and gliding animals
A number of animals are capable of aerial locomotion, either by powered flight or by gliding. This trait has appeared by evolution many times, without any single common ancestor. Flight has evolved at least four times in separate animals: i ...
**
Pterygium, a triangular membrane occurring in eyes
*
Cell membranes
The cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane (PM) or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment (t ...
:
**
Plasma membrane
The cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane (PM) or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment (t ...
, a membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment
**
Inner nuclear membrane, the biological membrane of nucleus
**
Outer membrane (disambiguation), several meanings
Other uses:
*
Acoustic membrane, a thin vibrating layer that produces sound
**
Membranophone
A membranophone is any musical instrument which produces sound primarily by way of a vibrating stretched membrane. It is one of the four main divisions of instruments in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification.
...
, a musical instrument that uses this principle, including most drums
*
Membrane keyboard
A membrane keyboard is a computer keyboard whose "keys" are not separate, moving parts, as with the majority of other keyboards, but rather are pressure pads that have only outlines and symbols printed on a flat, flexible surface. Very little, ...
, a computer keyboard whose keys are pressure pads that have only outlines and symbols printed on a flat, flexible surface
*
Membrane structure
Membrane structures are spatial structures made out of tensioned membranes. The structural use of membranes can be divided into pneumatic structures, tensile membrane structures, and cable domes. In these three kinds of structure, membranes work ...
, a sort of spatial structure made of tensioned membranes
*
Membrane (M-Theory), a spatially extended mathematical concept that appears in string theory and related theories
*
Synthetic membrane, a synthetically created membrane which is usually intended for separation purposes in laboratory or in industry
*
The Membranes, a punk band
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