Pericarditis is defined as inflammation of which heart structure?

• A. Inflammation of the endocardium
• B. Narrowing of aorta
• C. Inflammation of the myocardium
• D. Inflammation of the pericardium

Answer: (D)

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac that surrounds the heart and contains a small amount of lubricating fluid. This surrounding layer protects the heart and helps it move smoothly within the chest. When it becomes inflamed, you typically see signs like sharp, chest-pain that can worsen with deep breaths or a change in position, and you may hear a pericardial friction rub with a stethoscope. In some cases, fluid can accumulate around the heart (pericardial effusion) or even compress the heart if it’s severe (cardiac tamponade).

This contrasts with inflammation of the endocardium, which is the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, and inflammation of the myocardium, which is the heart muscle itself. Narrowing of the aorta is a vascular issue, not an inflammatory process of a heart structure, so it doesn’t define pericarditis.