What is parietal and visceral?

Answer 1

(1) On February 8, 2012 at 5:57 am Mysandie [0] said:

Learning a little Latin helped me to remember:

• "visceral" refers to inner
• "pari" = wall
• "peri" = around
• "epi" = upon
• "endo" = inside
• "myo" = muscle

Most people think of the pericardium as just a double-layered, membranous sac (The Pericardial Cavity) that is around the heart. But, the pericardium is actually TRIPLE layered: the visceral layer, the parietal layer, and the fibrous layer (fibrosa).

The visceral pericardium is the inner-most layer of the pericardium, and is also known as the Epicardium as it "lays" upon the heart.

The Pericardial Cavity lies between the visceral pericardium and the parietal pericardium. This cavity is filled with pericardial fluid which serves as a shock absorber by reducing friction between the visceral and parietal layers. The parietal pericardium is an outer layering wall of the Pericardial Cavity between the pericardial membranes.

The outer-most layer is the fibrous layer (fibrosa), and contains nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics. This is the layer that can become inflamed, called pericarditis. (As opposed to, endocarditis, which is inflammation of the insidelayer of the heart.)

Answer 2

the parietal membrane is superficial to the parietal membrane (ie closer to the skin) these membranes cover various structures in the body such as the lungs where the space in between forms the pleural cavity.

Answer 3

Visceral has to do with organs and parietal has to do with the body cavity. The visceral membrane lines the internal organ, whereas the parietal membrane lines the body cavity.

Answer 4

Pericardial Cavity

Human Anatomy & Physiology

9th edition page 661

Answer 5

The visceral membrane lines the internal organ, whereas the parietal membrane lines the body cavity. In between these two linings serous fluid is secreted.