Final answer:
The parietal pericardium lies on top of the visceral pericardium, which is the inner layer of the pericardial sac directly attached to the heart.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parietal pericardium lies on top of the visceral pericardium. The pericardial sac or pericardium is a membrane that not only separates the heart from other mediastinal structures but also consists of two distinct, fused sublayers: the fibrous pericardium and the parietal pericardium. The fibrous pericardium is a sturdy outer layer of dense connective tissue that protects the heart and maintains its position within the thorax. The serous pericardium consists of the parietal pericardium fused to the fibrous pericardium, and an inner layer called the visceral pericardium, or epicardium, which is attached to the heart. Between these layers is the pericardial cavity, filled with lubricating serous fluid to reduce friction as the heart contracts. Therefore, the membrane directly above the visceral pericardium (epicardium) is the parietal pericardium.