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

pericardiorrhaphy, pericardiostomy, pericardiotomy, pericarditis, pericarditis obliterans, pericardium, pericarp, pericementitis, pericementum, pericenter, pericentre

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 Forms

pericardial 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

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 forms

per′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.