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pericardium
Function:
- a membrane of mesothelium & connective tissue covering the heart & origins of the great vessels.
- it forms a closed sac (pericardial space) from two layers:
- serous pericardium adherent to the surface of the heart
- parietal pericardium, consisting of fibrous tissue lined with a serous membrane
- pericardial fluid within the pericardial space provides lubricant between the two layers
Pathology:
1) effusion into the pericardial space (pericardial effusion)
2) pericardial effusion if large enough can result in cardiac tamponade
Related
layers of pericardium
pericardial disease
pericardial effusion
pericardial fluid
pericardial space
Specific
fibrous pericardium
General
serous membrane; serosa
cardiovascular system structure
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.
- ACLS - The Reference Texbook
ACLS: Principles & Practice, Cummins RO et al (eds),
American Heart Association, 2003 ISBN 0-87493-341-2
Component-of
heart
Components
oblique sinus of pericardium
transverse sinus of pericardium (Theile canal)
Images
images related to pericardium