The inner layer of the
pericardium, a conical sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart
and the roots of the great blood vessels.
The pericardium has outer and inner coats. The outer coat is tough
and thickened, loosely cloaks the heart, and is attached to the
central part of the diaphragm and the back of the sternum
(breastbone). The inner coat is double with one layer closely
adherent to the heart while the other lines the inner surface of the
outer, or parietal, pericardium with the intervening space being
filled with fluid.
This small amount of fluid, the pericardial fluid, acts as a
lubricant to allow normal heart movement within the chest.
The word "pericardium" means around the heart. The outer layer of
the pericardium is called the parietal pericardium. The inner part of
the pericardium that closely envelops the heart is, as stated, the
visceral pericardium; it is also called the epicardium.
medical
dictionary, online medical dictionary, medical
terminology dictionary, free online medical
dictionary, medical dictionary, online medical
dictionary, medical terminology dictionary, free
online medical dictionary, dictionary medical,
dictionary medical online, dictionary medical
terminology, dictionary free medical online,
dictionary free medical, dictionary medical
terms, dictionary drug medical medicine,
dictionary health illustrated medical nursing
profession stedmans, dictionary English medical,
dictionary medical online terminology,
dictionary encyclopedia medical online,
condition dictionary medical, dictionary
medical, dictionary drug medical, medical
dictionary software, cyclopedic dictionary index
medical tabers thumb, medical dictionary, online
medical dictionary, medical terminology
dictionary
