Pericardium and Heart Layers

• The fibrous pericardium is the outermost layer of dense irregular fibrous tissue that covers the entire heart.
• The pericardium is a serosal double membrane that wraps around the heart and its major blood vessels.
• The parietal pericardium is fused to the outermost fibrous pericardium.
• The visceral pericardium is next to the heart; it is also called the epicardium.
• Pericardial fluid fills the space between the parietal and visceral pericardium; it cushions and protects the heart.
• The myocardium is the thick layer of cardiac muscle; it accounts for 95% of heart tissue.
• The endocardium consists of endothelial cells that line the chambers and valves.

QBReview: Review this Lesson

The pericardium is a double-layered serous membrane surrounding the heart. Pericardial fluid fills the space between the two layers of the pericardium (pericardial cavity). The epicardium is the inner (visceral) layer of the serous pericardium. The myocardium is the middle layer of cardiac muscle tissue. The endocardium is a thin inner lining layer of endothelium and connective tissue.