Periosteum: Anatomy, Structure And Function

Periosteum: Anatomy, Structure And Function

Write a short note on the periosteum.
Answer.

The periosteum forms the outer fibrous covering of the bone. It covers the whole of the bone surface, except where the bone is covered by articular cartilage. The periosteum is attached to the bone tissue by Sharpey’s fibres. It consists of two layers:

• An outer fibrous layer, which becomes continuous at the ends of the bone with the fibrous capsule of a joint. It protects the bone.
• An inner cellular layer containing osteoprogenitor cells (osteogenic cellular layer), ends at the epiphyseal line. This layer is responsible for the deposition of bone on the surface of the shaft and thus adds to the growth of bone in girth. It is also essential for fracture repair.

Functions

• Protects the bone, as it covers the outer surface of the bone.
• Helps in bone formation, helping bone growth at a young age and repairing fractures in adults, as it contains bone-forming cells.

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• Helps to provide nutrition to the bone, as it is richly supplied with blood vessels.
• Makes bone sensitive to pain as it is supplied with sensory nerves.
• Provides a medium for the attachment of ligaments, tendons and muscles to the bone.