PERICARDIUMPrepared by:Sharmin Susiwala

The pericardium is a double-walled conical fibro-serous sac, in which the heart and the roots of the great vessels are contained.

•BOUNDARIES:• In front: It is separated from the anterior wall of

the thorax, by the lungs and pleuræ and usually corresponding with the left half of the lower portion of the body of the sternum and the medial ends of the cartilages of the fourth and fifth ribs of the left side

• Behind: It rests upon the bronchi, the esophagus, the descending thoracic aorta, and the posterior part of the mediastinal surface of each lung. 

• Laterally:  It is covered by the pleuræ, and is in relation with the mediastinal surfaces of the lungs; the phrenic nerve, with its accompanying vessels, descends between the pericardium and pleura on either side.

Structure of PericardiumThere are two layers to the pericardial sac: 1. Outermost fibrous pericardium2. Inner serous pericardium

1.Fibrous pericardium: The fibrous pericardium forms a flask-shaped bag, the neck

of which is closed by its fusion with the external coats of the great vessels, while its base is attached to the central tendon and to the muscular fibers of the left side of the diaphragm.

It is also attached to the posterior surface of the sternum by the superior and inferior sternopericardiac ligaments; the upper passing to the manubrium, and the lower to the xiphoid process.

 The vessels receiving fibrous prolongations from this membrane are:

- aorta, - superior vena cava, - right and left pulmonary arteries- the four pulmonary veins. The inferior vena cava enters the pericardium through the

central tendon of the diaphragm, and receives no covering from the fibrous layer.

2.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, - the visceral pericardium, which is part of

the epicardium; covers the heart and the great vessels and lines the fibrous pericardium. 

It is invaginated by the heart 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, which protects the heart from any kind of external jerk or shock.

•BLOOD SUPPLY:- Internal mammary a. - Descending thoracic aorta.   

•NERVE SUPPLY:- Vagus n.- Phrenic n.- Sympathetic trunks. 

•FUNCTIONS:1. Fixes heart in mediastinum and limits its motion2. Protection from infections coming from other organs

(such as lungs)3. Prevents excessive dilation of heart in cases of acute

volume overload4. Lubrication

•ANATOMICAL RELATIONS:oSurrounds heart and bases of pulmonary artery

and aorta.oDeep to sternum and anterior chest wall.oThe right phrenic nerve passes to the right of the

pericardium.oThe left phrenic nerve passes over the

pericardium of the left ventricle.oPericardial arteries supply blood to the dorsal

portion of the pericardium.

•APPLIED ANATOMY:Pericarditis resulting in pericardial friction rub.Pericardial effusion which may lead to cardiac

tamponade.Cardiac Tamponade as a primary pathology

following traumatic injury.Pericardial Sinus.