n. pl. per·i·os·te·a (-tē-ə) The dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones except at the joints and serving as an attachment for muscles and tendons. [New Latin, from Late Latin periosteon, from Greek, from periosteos, around the bone : peri-, peri- + osteon, bone; see ost- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] per′i·oste·al (-tē-əl), per′i·oste·ous (-tē-əs) adj. |
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