Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Serous pericardium
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The serous pericardium is deeper than the fibrous pericardium. It contains two layers, both of which function in lubricating the heart to prevent friction from occurring during heart activity:
- The layer next to the fibrous pericardium is the parietal layer.
- The layer deep to the fibrous pericardium is the visceral layer.[1] When this layer comes into contact with the heart (not the great vessels), it is known as the epicardium.
Together these two layers form a continuous uninterrupted membrane. Between these two layers exists a small cavity called the pericardial cavity, which contains a supply of serous fluid. The serous fluid that is found in this space is known as the pericardial fluid.
External links
External links
- Template:NormanAnatomy (Template:NormanAnatomyFig)
- Template:UMichAtlas – “Chest X-ray showing pericardium, posteroanterior view”
- Template:UMichAtlas – “MRI of chest, lateral view”
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]