membrane bone (membranbon)

An o ification in membrane of any kind; a bone which has any other origin than in cartilage. The bones of the skeleton of vertebrates are for the most part preformed in cartilage, which is resorbed during the proce of o ification; but some, as those of the face, of the top and sides of the skull, those found in tendons and other fibrous structures, as the bones of the eyebal! heart, penis, etc., of various animals, and all dermal bones, or those of the exoskeleton, are membrane-bones. membrane le (membrān-les), a. [ mem brane + -le .] Not provided with a membrane: as, a membrane le cell. membranella (mem-bra-nel'ä), n.; pl. membra nella (-ē). [NL., dim. NL., dim. of L.membrana, membrane: see membrane.] In zool., same as cirrus, 2 (i). membraneous (mem - bra' në-us), a. membrana, membrane: see membrane.] Same as membranous.