Your pericardium is a protective, fluid-filled sac that surrounds your heart and helps it function properly.
Your pericardium also covers the roots of your major blood vessels as they extend from your heart. These are known as your “great vessels,” and they include your:
- Aorta.
- Main pulmonary artery.
- Pulmonary veins.
- Superior and inferior vena cava.
- What are the layers of the pericardium?
- Your pericardium has two main layers:
- Fibrous pericardium: This is the tough, outermost layer of your pericardium. It’s made of connective tissue that prevents your heart from expanding too much. It attaches to your great vessels (at the top of your heart) and to the central tendon of your diaphragm (at the bottom of your heart). At the front of your chest, ligaments connect this layer to your breastbone.
- Serous pericardium: This is the inner layer of your pericardium. It’s actually made of two layers, described below. Your serous pericardium produces pericardial fluid that lubricates your heart as it beats.
- Your serous pericardium is made of two layers:
- Parietal layer of the serous pericardium: This is the outer layer that’s firmly attached to your fibrous pericardium. There’s no space between them.
- Visceral layer of the serous pericardium: This is the innermost layer of your pericardium. It directly covers your heart and the roots of your great vessels. The portion that covers your heart is also known as your epicardium.
- Your pericardial cavity is the space between the two layers of your serous pericardium. This space holds your pericardial fluid.