Periosteum

Bones are made up nerve cells, blood vessels and living bone cells (osteocycles) which are held together by a hard non-living material containing calcium and phosphorus. Periosteum is a thin membrane which covers the bones surface. Long bones are made up of various sections which are; the diaphysis which is the long central shaft, metaphysis which is the area between the diaphysis and epiphysis placed at the end of the bone, the distal and proximal epiphysis which forms the large rounded ends of bones. Epiphyseal plates are made of cartilage and allow bones to grow in length, the articular cartilage covers the ends of bones allowing joints to be formed, and it is a smooth white tissue and is a firm elasticated type of cartilage which has shock