Layers of the heart wall & Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Fibrous Pericardium

Tough, white fibrous connective tissue that is the outer layer of the pericardium.

Parietal (Serous) Pericardium

Lines the internal surface of the fibrous pericardium.

Intercalated Discs

Attachment sites between the transverse lines between cardiac muscle cells.

Cardiocytes

Cardiac muscle cells.

Epicardium

The innermost of the two layers of the pericardium.

Fibrous Skeleton

The internal connective tissue of the heart.

Pericardial Sac

The membrane surrounding the heart.

Endocardium

The membrane that lines the cavities of the heart and forms part of the heart valves.

Myocardium

The middle muscular layer of the heart wall.

Pericardial Cavity (Mediastinum)

The space between the layers of the pericardium that contains fluid that lubricates the membrane surfaces and allows easy heart movement.

Visceral (Serous) Pericardium

This is sometime called the epicardium and adheres to outside of the heart.