DefinitionIntermediate
What are the three layers of the heart wall, and what does each layer consist of?
The three layers of the heart wall are the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium. The endocardium is a thin membrane lining the chambers and valves, the myocardium is a thick muscle layer that constitutes most of the heart wall, and the epicardium is a thin membrane covering the heart.
Key points
- Endocardium: thin membrane lining the heart's chambers and valves.
- Myocardium: thick muscle layer making up the majority of the heart wall.
- Epicardium: thin membrane covering the outer surface of the heart.
Source:Medical Terminology: An Illustrated Guide, Ninth Edition· Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems· p. 335–344
Related questions
Medical Terminology: An Illustrated Guide, Ninth Edition
Barbara Janson Cohen, Shirley Jones
Ninth Edition · Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company