Pericarditis

What is pericarditis?

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, a sac-like structure with two thin layers of tissue that surround the heart to hold it in place and help protect it from damage from infection and malignancy. A small amount of fluid keeps the layers separate so there’s less friction between them as the heart beats.
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Watch, Learn and Live

See your cardiovascular system in action with our interactive illustrations and animations.