serous pericardium

Function

• the film of fluid in pericardial cavity between visceral & parietal layers, allows heart to move freely within pericardial sac

Structure

the internal sac of the fibrous pericardium

composed mainly of mesothelium; consists of 2 layers:

• parietal layer- lines fibrous pericardium
• visceral layer- (becomes outermost layer of wall of heart, the epicardium)

parietal & visceral layers are continuous around roots of great vessels

More general terms

• layers of pericardium

Additional terms

• layers of heart