(12-13) Know the layers of the heart wall and Know the functions of the pericardium

myocardium

- Contraction of cardiac muscle in the ___________ generates the force necessary to pump blood. - is the middle layer of the heart wall. - It is composed of *cardiac muscle tissue *and is the thickest of the three heart wall layers. - The ventricular ___________may change in thickness as we age

endocardium

- The internal surface of the heart and the external surfaces of the heart valves are covered by ___________ - is composed of a simple squamous epithelium called an endothelium

epicardium

- is the outermost heart layer and is also called the *visceral layer of serous pericardium* - is a serous membrane composed of simple squamous epithelium and an underlying layer of areolar connective tissue. - As we age, the __________ thickens as it becomes more invested with adipose connective tissue