Question

Membrane surrounding the heart is
A. Peritoneum
B. Visceral membrane
C. Pericardium
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The heart is a hollow muscular organ lying in a connective tissue space (mediastinum) between the vertebral column and the sternum. The human heart is four-chambered, containing two atria and two ventricles. This structure covers organs in body cavities.

Complete answer: The human heart is present between the lungs in the thoracic cavity. An average human heart is about 12 cm. Its weight varies in males from 280 to 340 grams (average 300 grams) and in females, from 230 to 280 grams (average 250 grams). The entire heart is made up of cardiac muscles. The human heart is protected by a double-walled membranous bag called pericardium which consists of the outer parietal pericardium and inner visceral pericardium. The heart is completely enveloped in a membrane, the pericardium, that extends between the pleural cavities, the diaphragm, and vessels. In between the two layers, space, i.e. the pericardial cavity is present which is filled with pericardial fluid. The pericardium protects the heart from shocks and mechanical injuries and also allows free movements of the heart.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: Between the epicardium and inner side of the pericardium lies a thin cavity, filled with fluid, which allows the frictionless movement of the heart in the pericardial sac. The heart wall consist of three layers of different thickness or structure:
a) An inner serous coat called endocardium.
b) The actual cardiac muscle called myocardium.
c) An outer serous coat called the epicardium.