Which anatomical feature surrounds the shaft of long bones and serves as an attachment for tendons and muscles?

Which anatomical feature surrounds the shaft of long bones and serves as an attachment for tendons and muscles?

• A. Periosteum
• B. Endosteum
• C. Epiphysis
• D. Marrow

Answer: (A)

Periosteum is the fibrous, vascular outer layer that covers the shaft of long bones. It provides a strong attachment surface for tendons and muscles through collagen fibers that penetrate into the bone, anchoring them securely. It also houses cells involved in bone growth and repair and supplies blood vessels to the bone. By contrast, endosteum lines the inner surfaces of bone and the marrow cavity, the epiphysis is the bone ends, and marrow refers to the tissue inside the medullary cavity. Therefore, the feature that surrounds the shaft and serves as an attachment for tendons and muscles is periosteum.

Periosteum is the fibrous, vascular outer layer that covers the shaft of long bones. It provides a strong attachment surface for tendons and muscles through collagen fibers that penetrate into the bone, anchoring them securely. It also houses cells involved in bone growth and repair and supplies blood vessels to the bone. By contrast, endosteum lines the inner surfaces of bone and the marrow cavity, the epiphysis is the bone ends, and marrow refers to the tissue inside the medullary cavity. Therefore, the feature that surrounds the shaft and serves as an attachment for tendons and muscles is periosteum.