periosteum

[per-ee-os-tee-uh m]

noun, plural per·i·os·te·a

[per-ee-os-tee-uh] /ˌpɛr iˈɒs ti ə/. Anatomy.

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.

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-

Related formsper·i·os·te·al, per·i·os·te·ous, adjectiveper·i·os·te·al·ly, adverbsub·per·i·os·te·al, adjectivesub·per·i·os·te·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for periosteum

Historical Examples of periosteum

Bones are covered with a tough skin, or membrane (periosteum).
A Handbook of Health
Woods Hutchinson
Osseous tumors may arise from the periosteum or from the marrow.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry
Maximilian Stern
As a counter-irritant in pains of the joints, periosteum, old sprains, &c.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley
The fracture does not injure the periosteum, and is always transverse.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various
The periosteum is often of great practical importance to the surgeon.
A Practical Physiology
Albert F. Blaisdell

British Dictionary definitions for periosteum

periosteum

noun plural -tea (-tɪə)

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

Derived Formsperiosteal, adjective

Word Origin for periosteum

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

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

Word Origin and History for periosteum

1590s, from Modern Latin periosteum, Late Latin periosteon, from Greek periosteon, neuter of periosteos "round the bones," from peri- (see peri-) + osteon (see osseous).

periosteum in Medicine

periosteum

[pĕr′ē-ŏs′tē-əm]

n. pl. per•i•os•te•a (-tē-ə)

The thick fibrous membrane covering the entire surface of a bone except its articular cartilage and serving as an attachment for muscles and tendons.

Related formsper′i•os′te•al (-tē-əl) adj.