Which serous membrane adheres directly to the surface of the heart?

Which serous membrane adheres directly to the surface of the heart?

• A. Visceral Pericardium
• B. Parietal Pericardium
• C. Epicardium
• D. Endocardium

Answer: (A)

The layer that adheres directly to the heart is the visceral pericardium. This serous membrane forms the surface covering of the heart and is the inner layer of the pericardial sac. It’s often referred to as the epicardium when talking about the heart wall, because it is the portion of the serous pericardium that lies directly on the myocardium. The parietal pericardium lines the outer fibrous pericardium, not the heart itself, so it isn’t in contact with the heart tissue. The endocardium is the innermost lining of the heart chambers, not a serous membrane on the exterior.

The layer that adheres directly to the heart is the visceral pericardium. This serous membrane forms the surface covering of the heart and is the inner layer of the pericardial sac. It’s often referred to as the epicardium when talking about the heart wall, because it is the portion of the serous pericardium that lies directly on the myocardium. The parietal pericardium lines the outer fibrous pericardium, not the heart itself, so it isn’t in contact with the heart tissue. The endocardium is the innermost lining of the heart chambers, not a serous membrane on the exterior.