What is the medical term for inflammation of the heart's membrane lining?

The medical term for inflammation of the heart's membrane lining is pericarditis. This condition specifically refers to the inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. The pericardium serves to protect the heart and anchor it within the chest. When this membrane becomes inflamed, it can lead to chest pain and other symptoms due to irritation and friction between the heart and the surrounding sac.

Understanding the distinction between pericarditis and other related terms is important. For example, carditis refers to any inflammation of the heart muscle itself, which can encompass various types of inflammation, including those affecting the myocardium (the heart muscle). Myocarditis specifically pertains to inflammation of the heart muscle, while endocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart's inner lining, known as the endocardium. Each of these terms describes inflammation in a different part of the heart, making pericarditis the specific correct answer when referring to the inflammation of the heart's outer membrane.