Why is the heart enclosed in the pericardium

It prevents the heart from overfilling with blood and protects it from nearby infections by completely separating it from the rest of the thoracic cavity. It is continuous with the outer fibrous layer of the neighboring great blood vessels. The serous pericardium, the inner layer of the pericardium, is composed of two different layers.

The outer layer, the parietal layer , is completely adhered to the fibrous pericardium. The inner layer is known as the visceral layer , which covers and protects the great vessels and heart.

The space between the parietal and visceral layers is called the pericardial cavity. The visceral layer is referred to as the epicardium in the areas where it is in direct contact with the heart. The space between these two serous layers, the parietal and the visceral, is the pericardial cavity, which contains pericardial fluid. The serous pericardium, with its two membranes and the fluid-filled pericardial cavity, provides protection to the heart and a lubricated sliding surface within which the heart can move in response to its own contractions and to the movement of adjacent structures such as the diaphragm and the lungs.

The pericardium is important because it protects the heart from trauma, shock, stress, and even infections from the nearby lungs. The pericardium lubricates the heart and prevents it from becoming too large if blood volume is overloaded though it will not prevent chronic heart enlargement.

The heart and circulatory system make up your cardiovascular system. Your heart works as a pump that pushes blood to the organs, tissues, and cells of your body. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell and removes the carbon dioxide and waste products made by those cells.

Blood is carried from your heart to the rest of your body through a complex network of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. Blood is returned to your heart through venules and veins. If all the vessels of this network in your body were laid end-to-end, they would extend for about 60, miles more than 96, kilometers , which is far enough to circle the earth more than twice!

Visit U. Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency. The pericardium anchors and protects your heart and allows it to move easily within your chest. When fluid or other substances build up in the pericardium, they can put pressure on your heart and affect its ability to pump blood.

Others can damage your heart and are considered medical emergencies. If you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and a feeling of fullness in your chest, see your doctor right away. They can perform tests to find the cause of the problem and advise you about treatments to prevent heart damage.

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Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R.