HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does the periosteum cover?

1. Muscles

2. Bones

3. Cartilage

4. Veins

The correct answer is: Bones

The periosteum is a dense layer of vascular connective tissue that covers the outer surface of bones, except at the surfaces of the joints where cartilage is present. It serves several important functions, including the provision of a point of attachment for muscles and tendons, as well as playing a critical role in bone growth and repair due to its rich supply of blood vessels and nerves. This understanding of the periosteum's role in bone health and maintenance underscores why it is specifically associated with covering bones.