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.

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for periosteum

It may originate in the periosteum, or may spread thence from the marrow, or from synovial membrane.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
Stitching the periosteum together obviates the latter to a certain extent.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various
The bone is melted away and pus escapes from the bone under the periosteum, involving the soft tissues.
Special Report on Diseases of Cattle|U.S. Department of Agriculture
There was extravasation into and beneath the periosteum, and subsequent destruction of the continuity of the bone.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various

Diffuse thickening of the shafts of the long bones, due to a deposit of new bone by the periosteum, is sometimes met with.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

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

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).

Medicine definitions for periosteum

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.