1122 Chapter cardiac system anatomy: PERICARDIUM( human heart anatomy , envolop of human heart
29 Nov 2022
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In scientific terms, the pericardium is a fibro-serous, fluid-filled sack that surrounds the muscular body of the heart and the roots of the great vessels (the aorta, pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins, and the superior and inferior vena cavae). The pericardium is made up of two main layers: A tough external layer known as the fibrous pericardium, A thin, internal layer known as the serous pericardium. Continuous with the central tendon of the diaphragm, the fibrous pericardium is made of tough connective tissue and is relatively non-distensible. Its rigid structure prevents rapid overfilling of the heart. Enclosed within the fibrous pericardium, the serous pericardium is itself divided into two layers: The outer parietal layer that lines the internal surface of the fibrous pericardium and. The internal visceral layer that forms the outer layer of the heart (also known as the epicardium). Each layer is made up of a single sheet of epithelial cells, known as mesothelium.
