Pericardium

The pericardium (pl. pericardia), also called pericardial sac, is a fluid filled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels. It has three layers, an outer layer made of strong inelastic connective tissue (fibrous pericardium), and a double-layered inner membrane serous membrane (serous pericardium), between which the pericardial fluid is contained. It encloses the pericardial cavity, which contains pericardial fluid, and defines the middle mediastinum. It separates the heart from interference of other structures, protects it against infection and blunt trauma, and lubricates the heart's movements.