The pericardium

The pericardium, known as " xin bao luo, " is a membrane surrounding the heart. Its meridian connects with the sanjiao with which it is externally - internally related. Its main function is to protect the heart. When pathogenic qi invades the heart, the pericardium is always the first to be attacked, and invasion of the pericardium by pathogenic qi will often affect the normal function of the heart. For example, invasion of the interior by pathogenic mild heat, which gives rise to symptoms of mental derangement such as coma and delirium, is described as " invasion of the pericardium by pathogenic heat, " although the clinical manifestations are the same as those of the heart. For this reason, the pericardium is not generally regarded as an independent organ, but as an attachment to the heart.