The parietal layer of serous pericardium is continuous with the visceral layer of serous pericardium around the roots of the great vessels. These reflections of serous pericardium (Fig. 3.61) occur in two locations: one superiorly, surrounding the arteries—the aorta and the pulmonary trunk; the second more posteriorly, surrounding the veins—the superior and inferior vena cava and the pulmonary veins.