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.

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periosteum British  

/ ˌpɛrɪˈɒstɪəm /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

noun

• periostea
  plural

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-

Compare meaning

How does periosteum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• periosteum vs. endosteum
• perichondrium vs. periosteum

Example Sentences

Surrounding the bone is a membrane called the periosteum.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The periosteum then creates a protective layer of compact bone superficial to the trabecular bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

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 osteocytes in spongy bone are nourished by blood vessels of the periosteum that penetrate spongy bone and blood that circulates in the marrow cavities.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Similarly, crepitus may be absent when impaction exists, when the fragments completely override one another, or are separated by an interval, or when soft tissues, such as torn periosteum or muscle, are interposed between them.

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