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periosteum

American  
[per-ee-os-tee-uhm] / ˌpɛr iˈɒs ti əm /

noun

Anatomy.
periostea plural
  1. the normal investment of bone, consisting of a dense, fibrous outer layer, to which muscles attach, and a more delicate, inner layer capable of forming bone.


periosteum British  
/ ˌpɛrɪˈɒstɪəm /

noun

  1. a thick fibrous two-layered membrane covering the surface of bones

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of periosteum

1590–1600; < New Latin, variant of Late Latin periosteon, noun use of neuter of Greek periósteos around the bones. See peri-, osteo-

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Example Sentences

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The outer surface of bone, except in regions covered with articular cartilage, is covered with a fibrous membrane called the periosteum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The periosteum contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels that nourish compact bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 6.8 Periosteum and Endosteum The periosteum forms the outer surface of bone, and the endosteum lines the medullary cavity.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The tension created by contraction of the muscle fibers is then transferred though the mysia, to the tendon, and then to the periosteum to pull on the bone for movement of the skeleton.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The infection may spread from the tooth to the alveolo-dental periosteum, and set up a periodontitis.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

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