What type of membrane covers long bones and is dense and white?

The periosteum is the dense, white membrane that surrounds the outer surface of long bones. It consists of a layer of fiber that is rich in collagen, providing strength and support to the bone, and a layer of osteogenic cells, which are important for bone growth and repair. This membrane plays a crucial role in the attachment of muscles and tendons, as well as serving as a conduit for blood vessels and nerves that enter the bone tissue.

Articular cartilage, while important for joint function, is a smooth, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, facilitating movement and reducing friction, rather than covering the entire surface of a long bone. The diaphysis refers to the long, tubular shaft of a long bone, which is mainly composed of compact bone, while the epiphysis refers to the rounded ends of the bone, which are involved in forming joints. Neither the diaphysis nor the epiphysis describes the fibrous membrane that envelops the entire long bone structure.