periosteum

periosteum definition - medical

per·i·os·te·um (pĕrˌē-ŏsˈtē-əm)

noun 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 Forms:

  • perˌi·osˈte·al (-tē-əl) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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