Which is the outermost layer of the heart wall?

Which is the outermost layer of the heart wall?

• A. Endocardium
• B. Myocardium
• C. Epicardium
• D. Pericardium

Answer: (C)

The outermost layer of the heart wall is the epicardium, which forms the surface of the heart and is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium. It sits directly on top of the muscular wall (the myocardium) and is separated from the heart muscle by a small amount of lubricating pericardial fluid. The epicardium has a thin layer of mesothelial cells with connective tissue, and often contains some adipose tissue. The myocardium is the thick, contractile middle layer, while the endocardium lines the inner chambers and valves. The pericardium is the fibrous sac surrounding the heart, outside the epicardium and not part of the heart wall itself.

The outermost layer of the heart wall is the epicardium, which forms the surface of the heart and is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium. It sits directly on top of the muscular wall (the myocardium) and is separated from the heart muscle by a small amount of lubricating pericardial fluid. The epicardium has a thin layer of mesothelial cells with connective tissue, and often contains some adipose tissue. The myocardium is the thick, contractile middle layer, while the endocardium lines the inner chambers and valves. The pericardium is the fibrous sac surrounding the heart, outside the epicardium and not part of the heart wall itself.