RT Book, Section
A1 Bashore, Thomas M.
A1 Granger, Christopher B.
A1 Jackson, Kevin P.
A1 Patel, Manesh R.
A2 Papadakis, Maxine A.
A2 McPhee, Stephen J.
A2 Rabow, Michael W.
A2 McQuaid, Kenneth R.
SR Print(0)
ID 1184696467
T1 Diseases of the Pericardium: Anatomic & Physiologic Considerations
T2 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2022
YR 2022
FD 2022
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781264269389
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1184696467
RD 2024/04/18
AB The  pericardium  consists  of  two  layers:  the  inner  visceral  layer,  which  is  attached  to  the  epicardium,  and  an  outer  parietal  layer.  About  50  mL  of  serous  fluid  is  normally  present  and  provides  lubrication  between  the  two  layers.  The  pericardial  reflection  encompasses  the  heart  and  great  vessels.  The  pericardium  stabilizes  the  heart  in  anatomic  position  and  reduces  contact  between  the  heart  and  the  surrounding  structures.  It  is  composed  of  fibrous  tissue,  and  although  it  will  permit  moderate  changes  in  cardiac  size,  it  cannot  stretch  rapidly  enough  to  accommodate  rapid  dilation  of  the  heart  or  accumulation  of  fluid  without  increasing  intrapericardial  (and,  therefore,  intracardiac)  pressure.