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pericardium
pericardium A conical bag which holds the heart. There is an outer fibrous covering, and within this a more delicate membrane: a closed sac, into which the heart is invaginated from behind, so that the two layers of membrane are in contact with each other. There is thus a potential space between the layers, which may be expanded with fluid in the condition of pericarditis, or with blood in penetrating injuries; since there is no exit, accumulated fluid interferes with the pump action, and needs to be aspirated.
Stuart Judge See heart. |
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Cite this article
COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "pericardium." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "pericardium." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-pericardium.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "pericardium." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-pericardium.html |
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pericardium
pericardium (pe-ri-kar-diŭm) n. the membrane surrounding the heart. fibrous p. the outer portion of the pericardium, which completely encloses the heart and is attached to the large blood vessels emerging from the heart. serous p. the internal portion of the pericardium: a closed sac of serous membrane containing a very small amount of fluid, which prevents friction between the two surfaces as the heart beats.
—pericardial adj. |
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"pericardium." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pericardium." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-pericardium.html "pericardium." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-pericardium.html |
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pericardium
pericardium (pericardial membrane) The membrane that encloses the pericardial cavity, containing the vertebrate heart. The pericardium holds the heart in position while allowing it to relax and contract. It consists of two main parts: a tough outer fibrous layer (fibrous pericardium) and the more delicate serous pericardium, which consists of a double layer of serous membrane, the inner layer being in close contact with the heart.
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"pericardium." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pericardium." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-pericardium.html "pericardium." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-pericardium.html |
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pericardium
per·i·car·di·um / ˌperiˈkärdēəm/ • n. (pl. -car·di·a / -ˈkärdēə/ ) Anat. the membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane. DERIVATIVES: per·i·car·di·al / -ˈkärdēəl/ adj. |
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Cite this article
"pericardium." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pericardium." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pericardium.html "pericardium." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pericardium.html |
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pericardium
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T. F. HOAD. "pericardium." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "pericardium." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pericardium.html T. F. HOAD. "pericardium." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pericardium.html |
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pericardium
pericardium
1. The membrane surrounding the cavity around the heart. 2. The cavity around the heart. |
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "pericardium." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "pericardium." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-pericardium.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "pericardium." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-pericardium.html |
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pericardium
pericardium see heart . |
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"pericardium." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pericardium." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-pericard.html "pericardium." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-pericard.html |
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