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Glite Dictionary
pericardial cavity

pericardial cavity

5.8
A small space filled with fluid between the layers around the heart that lets it move smoothly
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛrɪˈkɑrdɪəl ˈkævɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cavidad pericárdica
  • Doctors can examine the pericardial cavity to check for any abnormalities around the heart.

Examples

  • The pericardial cavity contains fluid that helps the heart move freely as it beats.

  • The broken distal ends had migrated into the superior mediastinum and the pericardial cavity.

    Academic text (2007)

  • However, the second piece had pierced into the pericardium, which had to be opened, and the piece was found lying free in the pericardial cavity and was retrieved (fig. 3).

    Academic text (2007)

  • An infection in the pericardial cavity can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

Synonyms

pericardial sac
vspericardial cavity
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A thin bag with two layers that surrounds and protects the heart

refers to the fluid-filled gap between those membranes for smooth movement
pericardial space
vspericardial cavity
  • Specialized
5.8

A space between the two layers around the heart that holds fluid to let the heart move smoothly

has identical meaning but uses different wording

Surface Forms

pericardial cavity singular
pericardial cavities plural

Morphology

pericardial + cavity

The meaning is directly built from the constituents: 'pericardial' (relating to the membrane around the heart) + 'cavity' (a hollow space), so it denotes the hollow/fluid-filled space associated with the pericardium. Although technical, the compound is compositionally predictable and follows regular morphological patterns found across languages, so a learner who knows both words would grasp the meaning.

Etymology

The term pericardial cavity names the small 'space' between the two layers of the sac around the heart where a little 'fluid' sits. Pericardial refers to the heart's sac and cavity means a hollow space, and because that hollow holds fluid so the heart can move easily, the phrase means the fluid-filled space that lets the heart beat smoothly.