periosteum

[per-ee-os-tee-uhm]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

periostea 

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

/ ˌpɛrɪˈɒstɪəm /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• periosteal adjective
• periosteous adjective
• periosteally adverb
• subperiosteal adjective
• subperiosteally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of periosteum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of periosteum¹

C16: New Latin, from Greek periosteon, from _peri- + osteon bone

Example Sentences

The tissue, called the periosteum, gets inflamed, and that's what causes the ache.

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The tissues, weakened by the suppurative process which the skin has undergone, may then necrose, and thus lay bare periosteum, cartilage, or bone.

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Its effect is really extraordinary in injuries to sinews, tendons and the periosteum.

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It appeared to have been exposed to the weather, until the flesh and periosteum had decayed, and the bones had become white....

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Ollier exposed the bone of an animal, and, carefully removing a part of the periosteum, planted it in the connective tissue under the skin in another part of the body.

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