What is the mean of pericardium?

Pericardium: The conical sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great blood vessels.

What is a Precordium in medical terms?

Medical Definition of precordium : the part of the ventral surface of the body overlying the heart and stomach and comprising the epigastrium and the lower median part of the thorax.

What is the Precordium area?

The precordium is the front of the chest wall over the heart (Fig 1).

What is pericardium function?

The pericardium acts as mechanical protection for the heart and big vessels, and a lubrication to reduce friction between the heart and the surrounding structures. A very important role in all aspects of pericardial functions is played by mesothelial cells.

What does pericardium look like?

The pericardium is a thin, two-layered, fluid-filled sac that covers the outer surface of the heart. It provides lubrication for the heart, shields the heart from infection and malignancy, and contains the heart in the chest wall.

Is epicardium and pericardium are same?

The pericardium is a dual-layered structure enveloping the heart and proximal great vessels. It consists of an inner visceral pericardium (also called the epicardium when in contact with the myocardium), and an outer parietal pericardium, composed of layers of collagen fibrils and elastin fibers.

What is active precordium?

Hyperdynamic precordium is a condition where the precordium (the area of the chest over the heart) moves too much (is hyper dynamic) due to some pathology of the heart. This problem can be hypertrophy of the ventricles, tachycardia, or some other heart problem.

How do you inspect precordium?

Palpate the parasternal area along the left sternal border to assess the right ventricular impulse. Next, palpate the epigastric area for right ventricular pulsations, and the right 2nd and left 2nd intercostal spaces. Click on the video icon for a discussion and demonstration of palpation of the precordium.

How do you test for precordium?

Palpate the precordium with the palmar surface of your hand over the aortic, pulmonary, parasternal and apical areas of the heart. Determine the lower and outermost precardiac impulse, the apical impulse.

What causes active precordium?

What are the three functions of the pericardium?

The pericardium has several protective functions:

  • Keeps the heart contained within the chest cavity,
  • Prevents the heart from over-expanding when blood volume increases,
  • Limits heart motion,
  • Reduces friction between the heart and surrounding tissues, and.
  • Protects the heart against infection.

Can the pericardium be removed?

Pericardiectomy is a surgery done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision over the breastbone to access the heart. Then the surgeon removes either a large part or the entire pericardium. Or the surgeon makes an incision between the ribs to reach the pericardium.

What is the medical definition of the precordium?

Medical definition of precordium: the part of the ventral surface of the body overlying the heart and stomach and comprising the epigastrium and the lower median part of the thorax.

Why is the pericardium important to the heart?

The pericardium has a few important roles: It keeps your heart fixed in place within your chest cavity. It prevents your heart from stretching too much and overfilling with blood. It lubricates your heart to prevent friction with the tissues around it as it beats. It protects your heart from any infections…

What are the signs of tachycardia and precordium?

Cardiovascular examination may indicate tachycardia, hyperdynamic precordium, widened pulse pressure, and signs of heart failure; heart murmurs may also be present.

Why are precordial movements important in a cardiac exam?

The location and character of these precordial movements correlate with abnormalities of the heart, such as in hypertrophic heart disease. Both the observation and palpation of the point of maximal impulse (PMI) of heart is part of a complete cardiac exam.