periosteum

[ per-ee-os-tee-uhm ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural per·i·os·te·a [per-ee-, os, -tee-, uh].

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

Derived Forms

• ˌperiˈosteal, adjective

Other Words From

• peri·oste·al peri·oste·ous adjective
• peri·oste·al·ly adverb
• subper·i·oste·al adjective
• subper·i·oste·al·ly 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.

From Los Angeles Times

He regards the latter as proceeding from the fragments of periosteum introduced into the jugular vein, and his results thus widely differ from those of Cohnheim.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg