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Fibrous Pericardium. Continuous with the central tendon of the diaphragm, the fibrous pericardium is made of tough connective tissue and is relatively non-distensible. This rigidity prevents rapid overfilling of the heart, but can have several serious clinical consequences (see cardiac tamponade).
The pericardium is a thin fibroelastic sac composed of two layers that separate the heart from the surrounding mediastinal structures. The outer layer of the pericardium is referred to as the fibrous pericardium and usually measures less than 2 mm in thickness. The inner portion of the pericardium is a two-layered sac called the serous pericardium.