Definition of Periosteum

Periosteum: The periosteum is a dense membrane composed of fibrous connective tissue that closely wraps (invests) all bone, except that of the articulating surfaces in joints which are covered by a synovial membrane.

"Peri-" is a prefix borrowed from the Greek meaning "around or about" and "-osteum" also comes from the Greek, from "osteon" meaning "bone", so periosteum literally means "around the bone."

Drug Medical Dictionary of Terms by Letter

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Medical Dictionary Term: