Periosteum

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

periosteum
    n 1: a dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones
         (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment
         for tendons and muscles; contains nerves and blood vessels
         that nourish the enclosed bone

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Periosteum \Per`i*os"te*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. perio`steos round
   the bones; peri` around + 'oste`on a bone: cf. L.
   periosteon.] (Anat.)
   The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely
   invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.
   [1913 Webster]