pericardium

pericardium definition - medical

per·i·car·di·um (pĕrˌĭ-kärˈdē-əm)

noun pl. per·i·car·di·a (-dē-ə)
The fibroserous sac enclosing the heart and the roots of the great vessels, consisting of two layers: the visceral layer or epicardium, immediately surrounding the heart; and the outer parietal layer, which forms the sac and is lined with a serous membrane. Also called heart sac, theca cordis.

Related Forms:

  • perˌi·carˈdi·al (-dē-əl), perˌi·carˈdi·acˌ (-dē-ăkˌ) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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