Meaning & use
endocardium
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablemedicalbiology
The thin smooth membrane lining the inside of the heart's chambers and covering the heart valves.
Grammar: Used with the: the endocardium lines the heart.
Patterns
- the endocardium of something
The endocardium lines the chambers of the heart and helps blood flow smoothly.
Infection of the endocardium can damage a heart valve.
Surgeons examined the endocardium during the operation.
Word forms
| plural | endocardia |
|---|
Common combinations
- inflamed endocardium
- An inflamed endocardium may signal an infection.
- lining of the endocardium
- Scarring affected the lining of the endocardium.
- damage to the endocardium
- Damage to the endocardium can alter valve function.
- layers of the heart wall
- The endocardium is the innermost of the layers of the heart wall.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inner heart lining
- Inner heart lining is a plain description, whereas endocardium is the exact anatomical term.
Opposites
Word family
- endocarditis noun
- inflammation of the endocardium
- myocardium noun
- the muscle layer of the heart
- epicardium noun
- the outer layer of the heart wall
- pericardium noun
- the sac around the heart
- endocardial adjective
- relating to the endocardium
Commonly confused: endocardium or endocrine? endocardium or pericardium?
endocardium vs endocrine
Endocrine refers to glands that release hormones, and has nothing to do with the heart lining.
endocardium vs pericardium
The pericardium is the outer sac around the heart, while the endocardium lines the inside.
Practice
Which layer lines the inside of the heart's chambers?
Choose one answer.
The endocardium is the innermost lining. The myocardium is muscle, and the epicardium and pericardium are outer layers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “endocardium”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.