4 meanings of USMLE acronym and USMLE abbreviation. Get the Medical definition of USMLE by All Acronyms dictionary. Top Definition: United States Medical Licensing Exam In Medical dictionary category.
Pericarditis Definition. Inflammation of the lining around the heart (the pericardium) that causes chest pain and accumulation of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion). There are many causes of pericarditis, including infections, injury, radiation treatment, and chronic diseases. SOURCE: MedTerms.
The atria and the ventricles are separated by valves, which allow the blood to flow through the heart in one direction and prevent back flow of blood. The wall of the heart is made up of three layers. The outer layer is called the epicardium. The middle layer is the actual heart muscle and is called the myocardium. The inner layer of the heart is called the endocardium. The heart is contained within a sac called the pericardium. The sole purpose of the heart is to pump blood to and from the rest of the body.