Perikardiális

Perikardiális is the Hungarian term relating to the pericardium, the double-walled sac that surrounds the heart. The pericardium helps anchor the heart within the chest and serves as a friction-reducing container during each beat. Its English equivalent is pericardial.

Anatomy-wise, the pericardium comprises a fibrous layer (fibrous pericardium) and a serous layer (serous pericardium). The serous layer forms two sheets: a parietal layer lining the fibrous sac and a visceral layer (epicardium) covering the heart itself. The potential space between the parietal and visceral layers is the pericardial cavity, normally containing a small amount of lubricating fluid. The pericardial space allows smooth heart movement during respiration and activity.

Functionally, the pericardium provides mechanical protection, limits excessive heart dilation, and helps maintain relative position of the heart within the mediastinum. The fibrous pericardium is relatively tough, while the serous layers reduce friction. The pericardium is innervated mainly by the phrenic nerves, which convey pain if inflammation occurs, and its blood supply comes from branches of the internal thoracic, bronchial, and coronary arteries.

Clinical relevance includes pericardial diseases. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium and can cause chest pain and a pericardial friction rub. Pericardial effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space and can progress to cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening condition with hemodynamic compromise. Constrictive pericarditis results from scarring that restricts diastolic filling. Diagnosis relies on echocardiography, with CT or MRI as complementary imaging; treatment targets the underlying cause and may include pericardiocentesis or, in selected cases, pericardiectomy.