US Medical Term · anatomy
Pericardium
Pericardio
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Pericardium |
| Spanish (Español) | Pericardio |
| Chinese (中文) | 心包 |
| Korean (한국어) | 심낭 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Màng tim |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Perikardyo |
| Portuguese (Português) | Pericárdio |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เยื่อหุ้มหัวใจ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 心膜 |
What it means
The pericardium is a tough, double-layered sac made of fibrous tissue that surrounds and protects the heart. Think of it as a protective bag wrapped around the heart. A small amount of fluid between the two layers lubricates the heart so it can beat smoothly without friction. Pericarditis is inflammation of this sac, which causes sharp chest pain that often feels worse when lying down and better when sitting forward. Fluid can accumulate between the two layers — called a pericardial effusion — and if enough builds up it can press on the heart and prevent it from filling properly, a dangerous condition called cardiac tamponade that requires emergency drainage.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The doctor said I have pericarditis, which is inflammation around the sac that covers my heart.
El médico dijo que tengo pericarditis, que es inflamación alrededor del saco que recubre mi corazón.
My chest pain is sharp and gets better when I lean forward — they think it may be my pericardium.
El dolor en el pecho es agudo y mejora cuando me inclino hacia adelante. Creen que puede ser el pericardio.
The echocardiogram showed fluid around the pericardium that is pressing on my heart.
El ecocardiograma mostró líquido alrededor del pericardio que está presionando mi corazón.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026