periosteum
noun
peri·os·te·um
ˌper-ē-ˈä-stē-əm 
plural periostea
ˌper-ē-ˈä-stē-ə
: the membrane of connective tissue that closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces
Examples of periosteum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wright credits the regeneration to the periosteum left behind.
—
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024
Tyson underwent surgery, according to the case report, but since the tumor was caught early, a large portion of the dog’s periosteum was preserved even as bone was removed.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024
Scientists used to have to place electrodes directly on the periosteum—the inner layer of the scalp—to pick up brain waves.
—Time, 26 June 2023
There’s not a consensus among doctors about the cause, but for a long time, it was thought to be a soft tissue injury — either small tears or inflammation of the muscles that attach near the shin or of the periosteum (a thin sheath of tissue around the shin bone).
—Kelly O'Mara, Outside Online, 9 Apr. 2014
The vessels that provide blood enter into the bone through the thin membrane that covers it, which is known as the periosteum.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Doctors think surfer’s ear happens because the thin skin of the ear canal doesn’t protect the bone from cold water, which causes inflammation in the membrane on the outside of the bone, called the periosteum.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2018
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024
Tyson underwent surgery, according to the case report, but since the tumor was caught early, a large portion of the dog’s periosteum was preserved even as bone was removed.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024
Scientists used to have to place electrodes directly on the periosteum—the inner layer of the scalp—to pick up brain waves.
—Time, 26 June 2023
There’s not a consensus among doctors about the cause, but for a long time, it was thought to be a soft tissue injury — either small tears or inflammation of the muscles that attach near the shin or of the periosteum (a thin sheath of tissue around the shin bone).
—Kelly O'Mara, Outside Online, 9 Apr. 2014
The vessels that provide blood enter into the bone through the thin membrane that covers it, which is known as the periosteum.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Doctors think surfer’s ear happens because the thin skin of the ear canal doesn’t protect the bone from cold water, which causes inflammation in the membrane on the outside of the bone, called the periosteum.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Periosteum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periosteum. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periosteum
noun
peri·os·te·um
ˌper-ē-ˈäs-tē-əm
plural periostea
-tē-ə
: the membrane of connective tissue that covers all bones except at the surfaces in a joint
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