Pericardium

Question 1

What does the pericardium contain?

Answer 1

The heart and the roots of the major vessels.

Question 2

What are the two main layers of the pericardium?

Answer 2

Outer fibrous pericardium

Inner serous pericardium

Question 3

The central tendon of the diaphragm continues into what?

Answer 3

The fibrous layer of the pericardium

Question 4

What are the two layers of the serous pericardium layer?

Answer 4

Outer parietal layer

Internal visceral layer/epicardium

Question 5

What single layer of cells make up both the layers of the pericardium?

Answer 5

Mesothelial cells/mesothelium

Question 6

What is the function of the serous fluid and where is it found?

Answer 6

Found in the pericardial cavity. Lubricates the heart to prevent friction.

Question 7

What is the pericardial cavity located between?

Answer 7

Between the outer and inner serous layers.

Question 8

What’s the order of the pericardium layers? (starting from the outside layer)

Answer 8

Fibrous pericardium
Parietal layer of serous pericardium
Serous fluid
Visceral layer of serous pericardium
(Acronym: Fat Police Smell Villains)

Question 9

Name 4 functions of the pericardium

Answer 9

Fixes heart in mediastinum
Prevents overfilling of the heart
Lubrication
Protects from infection

Question 10

What nerve innervates the pericardium? And at what vertebral level does this nerve branch?

Answer 10

Phrenic nerve. C3-C5