Question

The heart is covered by a membrane called
A. Epidermis
B. Dermis
C. Epicardium
D. Pericardium

Answer 1

Heart is a muscular organ which pumps blood by blood vessels. Heart is divided into four chambers called upper left atria, upper right atria, lower left ventricle and lower right ventricle. The heart wall is made up of three layers: epicardium, myocardium and endocardium.

Complete step by step answer:
Protective sac called pericardium in which the heart is enclosed also contains a small amount of fluid.
Structure of heart:
1. Heart is situated in the middle mediastinum, at level of T5-T8.
2. Double membrane sac known as pericardium surrounds the heart.
3. Back surface of the heart lies near the vertebral column while the front surface lies behind rib cartilages and sternum.
4. Cone shaped with its base positioned upward and tapering downward.
5. Ear shaped structure called right atrial appendage in upper right atrium and another in the left atrium called left atrial appendage.
6. Interventricular septum which separate the two ventricles.
7. Atria is separated from ventricles by atrioventricular septum.
8. Interventricular septum is thick because the ventricles generate greater pressure when they contract.
Function of protective sac:
1. The pericardium gives protection to the heart against infection and also provides lubrication.
2. It is the superficial layer made up of dense and loose connective tissue.
3. The double walled pericardial sac is divided into two layers: serous and fibrous layer.
The correct answer is Pericardium.
Option D is the correct answer.

Note: Pericarditis is an inflammation of pericardium which causes chest pain. This condition is caused by viral infection or rarely due to bacterial infection. It can be treated by giving anti-inflammatories and colchicine.