130 



ANATOxMY FOR NURSES 



[Chap. VIII 



bursae lie immediately under the skin, and occur in various parts 

 of the body, interposed between the skin and some firm promi- 

 nence beneath it. The large bursa, situated over the patella, 

 is a well-known example of this class, but similar, though smaller, 

 bursa? are found also over the olecranon, the 

 malleoli, the knuckles, and other prominent 

 parts. 



Function of synovial membranes. — As 

 previously stated, the function of synovial 

 membranes is similar to that of serous 

 membranes, but synovial membranes are 

 associated with the bones and muscles. 



MUCOUS MEMBRANES 



The mucous membranes, unlike the se- 

 rous membranes, line passages and cavities 

 which communicate with the exterior. 

 Their surface is coated over and protected 

 by mucus, from which it derives its name. 

 The mucous membranes of different parts 

 are continuous, and they may nearly all be 

 reduced to two great divisions ; namely, 

 (1) gastro-pulmonary, and (2) the genito- 

 urinarv. 



k 



i\\ 



J 



Fig. «9. — The An- 

 terior Annular Liga- 

 ment OF THE Ankle 

 AND the Synovial Mem- 

 branes OF the Tendons 

 BENEATH IT. Artifuially 

 distended. (Gcriish.) 



(1) Gastro-pulmonary. — The gastro-pul- 

 monary mucous membrane covers the inside 

 of the alimentary canal, the air-passages, 

 and the cavities communicating with them. 

 It commences at the edges of the lips and 

 nostrils, proceeds through mouth and nose 

 to the throat, and thence is continued throughout the entire length 

 of the alimentary canal to the anus. At its origin and termina- 

 tion it is continuous with the external skin. It also ex-tends 

 throughout the trachea, bronchial tubes, and air-sacs. From the 

 interior of the nose the membrane may be said to be prolonged 

 into the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses, 

 also into the lacrimal passages, and under the name of conjunc- 

 tival membrane, over the fore part of the eyeball and inside of 

 the eyelids, on the edges of which it again meets with the skin. 



