ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -What is the pericardium? Your pericardium is a protective, fluid-filled sac that surrounds your heart and helps it function properly. Your pericardium also covers the roots of your major blood vessels as they extend from your heart.

Detailed explanation-2: -The pericardium, also called pericardial sac, is a double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels. It has two layers, an outer layer made of strong connective tissue (fibrous pericardium), and an inner layer made of serous membrane (serous pericardium).

Detailed explanation-3: -The pericardium has a few important roles: It keeps your heart fixed in place within your chest cavity. It prevents your heart from stretching too much and overfilling with blood. It lubricates your heart to prevent friction with the tissues around it as it beats.

Detailed explanation-4: -The fibrous pericardium is a layer of connective tissue that provides support and protection for the heart. It has a number of attachments to the diaphragm, the sternum (via the sterno-pericardial ligaments), and the vertebral column. It holds the heart in place.

Detailed explanation-5: -The membrane surrounding the heart is called the pericardium, meaning the answer is a). The pericardium plays a protective role for the heart it surrounds.