Periosteum

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Periosteum \Per`i*os"te*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. perio`steos round
     the bones; peri` around + 'oste`on a bone: cf. L.
     periosteon.] (Anat.)
     The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely
     invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  periosteum
       n : a dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones
           (except at their extremities) and serving as an
           attachment for tendons and muscles; contains nerves and
           blood vessels that nourish the enclosed bone
       [also: {periostea} (pl)]