pericardium

[ per-i-kahr-dee-uh m ]

/ ˌpɛr ɪˈkɑr di əm /

noun, plural per·i·car·di·a [per-i-kahr-dee-uh] /ˌpɛr ɪˈkɑr di ə/. Anatomy.

the membranous sac enclosing the heart.

Nearby words

Origin of pericardium

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek perikárdion, noun use of neuter of perikárdios surrounding the heart, equivalent to peri- peri- + kardios, adj. derivative of kardía heart; cf. -cardium

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pericardium

In the pericardium, on the heart side, were found numerous small nodular roughnesses.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various
Open the pericardium with another set of sterile instruments.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique|John William Henry Eyre
There were eight ounces of effusion into the pericardium, resembling that formed in the cavities of the thorax.
An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis|Archibald Makellar
It is crossed by the left bronchus, and below this level has the pericardium immediately in front of it.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles

The pericardium was a little firmer than usual, and contained about five ounces of water.
Cases of Organic Diseases of the Heart|John Collins Warren

British Dictionary definitions for pericardium

pericardium

/ (ˌpɛrɪˈkɑːdɪəm) /

noun plural -dia (-dɪə)

the membranous sac enclosing the heart

Derived Formspericardial or pericardiac, adjective

Word Origin for pericardium

C16: via New Latin from Greek perikardion, from peri- + kardia heart

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pericardium

pericardium

early 15c., Latinized form of Greek perikardion "(membrane) around the heart" (Galen), from peri (prep.) "around, about" (see peri-) + kardia "heart" (see heart). Related: Pericardiac.

Medicine definitions for pericardium

pericardium

[ pĕr′ĭ-kär′dē-əm ]

n. pl. per•i•car•di•a (-dē-ə)

The fibroserous sac enclosing the heart and the roots of the great vessels, consisting of two layers: the visceral layer or epicardium, immediately surrounding the heart; and the outer parietal layer, which forms the sac and is lined with a serous membrane.heart sac theca cordis

Related formsper′i•car′di•al (-dē-əl) null adj.

Science definitions for pericardium

pericardium

[ pĕr′ĭ-kär′dē-əm ]

Plural pericardia

The membrane sac that encloses the heart in vertebrate animals.