periosteal reaction


per·i·os·te·al re·ac·tion

radiographically detectable new subperiosteal bone formed as a reaction to soft tissue or osseous disease.

periosteal reaction

The laying down of new bone on a specialized connective tissue that covers the surface of a bone after it has been irritated or invaded, e.g., by cancer, infection, or trauma. The new bone is visible radiographically as a thickening, widening, blurring, or spiculation of the bony cortex.

onion skin periosteal reaction

A radiologic sign attributable to a lamellar periosteal reaction in which multiple concentric layers of new bone are laid down.