The pericardium is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the heart and roots of its great vessels. It is subdivided into the fibrous pericardium and visceral pericardium. The fibrous pericardium makes up the outer layer and is continuous with the parietal pericardium. The visceral pericardium forms the inner layer and covers the surface of the heart. Blood supply to the pericardium is provided by branches of the internal thoracic artery and other arteries.