PERICARDIUM
, INTRODUCTION
Pericardium
Conical fibroserous sac
Encloses heart and roots of
great vessels
Lies within middle mediastinum
Lies behind body of sternum and
second –sixth costal cartilages
Posteriorly, related – esophagus,
descending
thoracic aorta, and bodies of 5th to
8th thoracic vertebrae.
2
, Functions of Pericardium
Protection of heart (shock absorption)
Restriction of excessive movements of
heart
Prevention of overexpansion of heart
Prevents kinking of great blood vessels
Minimizes friction between heart and
surrounding structures
Note: Total absence or surgical removal of
pericardium does not produce any obvious
clinical disease
3
, INTRODUCTION
Pericardium
Conical fibroserous sac
Encloses heart and roots of
great vessels
Lies within middle mediastinum
Lies behind body of sternum and
second –sixth costal cartilages
Posteriorly, related – esophagus,
descending
thoracic aorta, and bodies of 5th to
8th thoracic vertebrae.
2
, Functions of Pericardium
Protection of heart (shock absorption)
Restriction of excessive movements of
heart
Prevention of overexpansion of heart
Prevents kinking of great blood vessels
Minimizes friction between heart and
surrounding structures
Note: Total absence or surgical removal of
pericardium does not produce any obvious
clinical disease
3
