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A transverse section of the thorax, showing the contents of the middle and the posterior mediastinum. The pleural and pericardial cavities are exaggerated since normally there is no space between parietal and visceral pleura and between pericardium and heart Paricardium is also known as cariac epidemis.
Latin Pericardium
Gray's p.524
Artery Pericardiacophrenic artery
Nerve Phrenic nerve
MeSH Pericardium



Pericardium is a tough double layered membrane which covers the heart. The space between these two layers is filled with serous fluid which protects the heart from any kind of external jerk or shock. There are two layers to the pericardial sac: the outermost fibrous pericardium and the inner serous pericardium. The serous pericardium, in turn, is divided into two layers, the parietal pericardium, which is fused to and inseparable from the fibrous pericardium, and the visceral pericardium, which is part of the epicardium. The epicardium is the layer immediately outside of the heart muscle proper (the myocardium).[1]

The visceral layer extends to the beginning of the great vessels, becoming one with the parietal layer of the serous pericardium. This happens at two areas: where the aorta and pulmonary trunk leave the heart and where the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava and pulmonary veins enter the heart.[1]

In between the parietal and visceral pericardial layers there is a potential space called the pericardial cavity. It is normally lubricated by a film of pericardial fluid. Too much fluid in the cavity (such as in a pericardial effusion) can result in pericardial tamponade (compression of the heart within the pericardial sac). A pericardiectomy is sometimes needed in these cases.[1]

Anatomical relationships[edit]

  • Surrounds heart and bases of pulmonary artery and aorta.
  • Deep to sternum and anterior chest wall.


  • Fixes heart in mediastinum and limits its motion
  • Lubricates the heart

Clinical significance[edit]


Pericardial effusion refers to fluid in the pericardium. This may lead to cardiac tamponade.

Additional images[edit]

See also[edit]

This article uses anatomical terminology; for an overview, see anatomical terminology. Pericardial sinus


  1. ^ a b c Laizzo, P.A. (2009). Handbook of Cardiac Anatomy, Physiology, and Devices (2 ed.). Humana Press. pp. 125–128. ISBN 978-1603273718. 

External links[edit]