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pericardium

The thin, two-layered sac that surrounds the heart.

pair-ih-KAR-dee-um noun

Word parts

What it means

A small amount of fluid between the two layers lets the heart move smoothly as it beats. Inflammation of the sac is pericarditis. If fluid or blood builds up in the sac, it can squeeze the heart so it cannot fill (cardiac tamponade), which is an emergency.

At a glance

Spanishpericardio
Also writtenpericardial

Related terms

cardi/o

A word part that means heart.

peri-

A word beginning that means around or near.

cardiac

Relating to the heart.

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