epicardium

[ep-i-kahr-dee-uhm]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

epicardia 

1. the inner serous layer of the pericardium, lying directly upon the heart.

epicardium

/ ˌɛpɪˈkɑːdɪəm /

noun

1. anatomy the innermost layer of the pericardium, in direct contact with the heart

Other Word Forms

• epicardiac adjective
• epicardial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epicardium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1860–65; epi-, -cardium

Word History and Origins

Origin of epicardium¹

C19: New Latin, from _epi- + Greek kardia heart

Example Sentences

In other studies, Riley has since shown that other proteins besides thymosin β4 might also have a role in stimulating the epicardium to regenerate the heart7.

Read more on Scientific American

The organoids are about 2 millimeters in diameter and include the main types of cells typically present in this stage of development: cardiomyocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and epicardium.

Read more on Science Magazine

We make tiny slices along the outer surface, known as the epicardium, to find the three major coronary arteries.

Read more on Salon

Riley's team, whose study was published in the journal Nature Wednesday, targeted particular cells found in the outer layer of the heart, called the epicardium.

Read more on Reuters

Stem cell biologist Paul Riley of University College London and colleagues gauged the capabilities of progenitor cells in the epicardium, the heart's outer layer.

Read more on Science Magazine