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Webster 1913 Edition


Pericardium

Perˊi-car′di-um

,
Noun.
[NL., fr. Gr.
περικάρδιον
, fr.
περικάρδιοσ
about or near the heart;
περί
about +
καρδία
heart.]
(Anat.)
The double baglike fold of serous membrane which incloses the heart.
☞ The inner layer is closely adherent to the outer surface of the heart, and is called the
cardiac pericardium
. The outer layer loosely incloses the heart and the adherent inner layer, and is called the
parietal pericardium
. At the base of the heart the two layers are continuous, and form a narrow closed cavity filled with fluid, in which the pulsations of the heart cause little friction.

Definition 2024


pericardium

pericardium

English

Noun

pericardium (plural pericardia)

  1. (anatomy, cardiology) A serous membrane that surrounds the heart allowing it to contract.

Synonyms

  • heart sac
  • theca cordis

Derived terms

Translations

See also