I don't have a Pericardium Sac

Apparently I was born without one.  I'm a 40 female, always bee 20 lbs overweight but, in the last few years my weight has skyrocketed.  I also have hypothyroidisim.

I recently discovered a large lump on my neck (and then suffered with SHINGLES for 6 weeks) so my doctor ordered a scan ( - Not an MRI - the one where they use the dye - apologies - forget the name) ... cardiologist told me they obsereved I have no pericardium sac but said ..."Don't worry about it"

HUH?

Don't worry about it?????
He also mentioned my heart doesn't sit quite where it should, and is a little larger than normal.

2nd opinioin time perhaps???
Could explain (to some extent) the shortness of breath, tiredness I've been having.
Any help would be apprecaited.

thank you!

[kenkeith]

The pericardium has several functions: Keeps the heart contained in the chest cavity. Prevents the heart from overexpanding when blood volume increases and limits heart motion.

There are 3 parts pericardium.  The fibrous Pericardium - the outer fibrous sac that covers the heart...Parietal Pericardium - lies between the visceral pericardium and the fibrous pericardium...Visceral Pericardium - also called the epicardium, this is the outer layer of the wall of the heart.  Apparently, your doctor is referring to the outer fibrous sac!?  

You should get another opinion as there are serious consequences and the doctor recognized the heart may not be situation as it should!  There are other problems that could be assoiciated with the condition you describe and that may include shortness of breath, tiredness, etc.







What is the pericardium?
The pericardium is the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal ends of the aorta, vena cava, and the pulmonary artery.
Keeps the heart contained in the chest cavity.


Prevents the heart from overexpanding when blood volume increases.


Limits heart motion.






Pericardial Membranes
The pericardium is divided into three layers:

the heart.


Pericardial Cavity
The pericardial cavity lies between the visceral pericardium and the parietal pericardium. This cavity is filled with pericardial fluid which serves as a shock absorber by reducing friction between the pericardial membranes.


Pericardial Disorders
Pericarditis is a disorder of the pericardium in which the pericardium becomes swollen or inflamed. Some causes of pericarditis include bacterial or viral infections, cancer, and hear attack.

Pericardial effusion is a disorder caused by the accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the
Please click here to view the full topic text: Pericarditis, Acute
Background: The pericardium is composed of the parietal pericardium (an outer fibrous layer) and the visceral pericardium (an inner serous membrane made of a single layer of mesothelial cells). The visceral pericardium is attached to the epicardial fat and reflects back on itself to form the parietal pericardium. The pericardium normally contains as much as 50 mL of an ultrafiltrate of plasma. Drainage occurs via the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct into the right pleural space.
Pericardial physiology includes 3 main functions. First, through its mechanical function, the pericardium promotes cardiac efficiency by limiting acute dilation, maintaining ventricular compliance with preservation of the Starling curve, and distributing hydrostatic forces. The pericardium also creates a closed chamber with subatmospheric pressure that aids atrial filling and lowers transmural cardiac pressures. Second, through its membranous function, the pericardium shields the heart by reducing external friction and acting as a barrier against extension of infection and malignancy. Third, through its ligamentous function, the pericardium anatomically fixes the heart.
It is divided into two layers, the first of which is called the parietal one, and the second the visceral component. The pericardium contains approximately ten to fifteen cc's of serous fluid. The function of the pericardium is to limit or prevent acute pathological distension of the heart once the pericardial reserve volume has been used up and the pericardium is stretched. It does not cover the left atrium, which lies anterior to the pericardium.
The pericardial attachments maintain the heart in its normal position and are so arranged that external forces exerted on the pericardium by respiration or changes in body posture tend to cancel each other and maintain a constant heart position.


It is divided into two layers, the first of which is called the parietal one, and the second the visceral component. The pericardium contains approximately ten to fifteen cc's of serous fluid. The function of the pericardium is to limit or prevent acute pathological distension of the heart once the pericardial reserve volume has been used up and the pericardium is stretched. It does not cover the left atrium, which lies anterior to the pericardium.
The pericardial attachments maintain the heart in its normal position and are so arranged that external forces exerted on the pericardium by respiration or changes in body posture tend to cancel each other and maintain a constant heart position.