Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Lab-On-A-Chip Platform for Stimulating Osteocyte Mechanotransduction and Analyzing Functional Outcomes of Bone Remodeling
Published on: May 21, 2020
Changes in size of lacunae during the life of osteocytes in osteons of compact bone
Abstract:
The cross-sectional areas of 739 lacunae from 31 osteons of gibbon femur, gibbon ulna, and human humerus were measured and compared on the basis of their distance from the osteon canal. There was great variation in size of lacunae at all distances, but the mean size of lacunae adjacent to the canal and of those in the periphery of the osteon were larger than the mean size of lacunae found intermediate in position. This was interpreted to mean that new osteocytes continue to form bone, thus decreasing the size of their lacunae, but later in their life cycle, enlarge their lacunae through bone absorption. The great variation in size was interpreted to be evidence for alteration of function of osteocytes.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Structure
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Bone Cells and Tissue
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
Compact Bone
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Spongy Bone
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...

