Chapter 18: Cardiovascular System

Coverings of the Heart:

 Heart enclosed in double layered sac- pericardium
 Loose fitting superficial part-fibrous pericardium 1) protects heart 2) anchors it to
surrounding structures 3) prevents overfilling filling of heart with blood
 Serous pericardium-thin, slippery two-layer membrane; parietal layer lines
interior of pericardium, external layer-visceral layer or epicardium

 Between parietal and visceral layers- pericardial cavity, containing serous fluid

Pericarditis- inflammation of pericardium

Layers of the Heart Wall :

1) Epiucardium-visceral layer of the serous pericardium (where fat can collect)
2) Myocardium-middle layer composed of cardiac muscle, this layer contracts; contains
cardiac bundle muscle cells –connective tissue fibers form fibrous skeleton of the heart-
reinforces the myocardium internally and anchors the cardiac muscle fibers (elastic and
collagen helps vessels and valves stretch back-limits action potentials across heart to
specific pathways
3) Endocardium- composed of endothelium (squamous epithelium) on thin connective
tissue layer. Lines heart chambers and covers the fibrous skeleton of valves

Chambers and Associated Great Vessels