perichondrium

noun

peri·​chon·​dri·​um ˌper-ə-ˈkän-drē-əm How to pronounce perichondrium (audio)
plural perichondria ˌper-ə-ˈkän-drē-ə How to pronounce perichondrium (audio)
: the membrane of fibrous connective tissue that invests cartilage except at joints
perichondral
ˌper-ə-ˈkän-drē-drəl How to pronounce perichondrium (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from peri- + Greek chondros grain, cartilage

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perichondrium was in 1721

Rhymes for perichondrium

See All Rhymes for perichondrium

Browse Nearby Words

perichaetium
perichondrium
perichoresis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perichondrium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perichondrium. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

perichondrium

noun
peri·​chon·​dri·​um ˌper-ə-ˈkän-drē-əm How to pronounce perichondrium (audio)
plural perichondria -drē-ə How to pronounce perichondrium (audio)
: the membrane of fibrous connective tissue that invests cartilage except at joints

More from Merriam-Webster on perichondrium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perichondrium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All