Epicardium

/ˌɛpɪkˈɑːdiəm/

/ˌɛpɪkˈɑːɹdiəm/

[noun]

Epicardium

[NOUN]

the outermost layer of the heart, providing protection and lubrication to facilitate its smooth functioning

synonyms : visceral pericardium

What is "epicardium"?

The epicardium, also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium, is the outermost layer of the heart. It is composed of connective tissue and adipose (fat) tissue. The epicardium helps to protect and lubricate the heart, allowing it to contract and relax smoothly within the pericardial cavity. It also plays a role in the blood supply to the heart by housing small blood vessels that nourish the heart muscle.

Examples

1. The heart wall has 3 layers: - the outer layer, epicardium, lines the pericardial cavity, - the inner layer, endocardium, lines heart chambers and valves and is continuous with the endothelium of blood vessels, - and the thick middle layer, myocardium, is the muscle tissue responsible for the beating of the heart.

2. The rate of repolarization is slightly different for the 3 layers of the heart wall: the epicardium, mid-myocardium or M-cells, and endocardium.

3. The coronary arteries start up in the epicardium, and then dive down and supply all the heart tissue.

4. The heart wall’s made up of three layers, the epicardium being the outermost layer, then the myocardium, and then the endocardium, which is the layer that gets inflamed.