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Related Concept Videos

Bone Cells and Tissue01:30

Bone Cells and Tissue

Bones contain a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of organic and inorganic components. Although bone cells compose only a small amount of the bone volume, they are crucial to its function. Four types of cells are found within the bone tissue— osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteogenic cells, and osteoclasts.
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...
Bone Structure01:55

Bone Structure

Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
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...
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue01:23

Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue

Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts— that give the...
Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy Bone

All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis
14:55

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF BONE CELLS.

H R Dudley1, D Spiro

  • 1Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, and the Edwin S. Webster Memorial Laboratory of the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

The Journal of Biophysical and Biochemical Cytology
|October 30, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This electron microscopy study details bone cell fine structure, revealing osteoblast to osteocyte transitions and distinct osteoclast features. It clarifies collagen removal during bone resorption.

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A Human Bone Marrow 3D Model to Investigate the Dynamics and Interactions Between Resident Cells in Physiological or Tumoral Contexts
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A Human Bone Marrow 3D Model to Investigate the Dynamics and Interactions Between Resident Cells in Physiological or Tumoral Contexts

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Automated Quantification of Hematopoietic Cell – Stromal Cell Interactions in Histological Images of Undecalcified Bone
09:31

Automated Quantification of Hematopoietic Cell – Stromal Cell Interactions in Histological Images of Undecalcified Bone

Published on: April 8, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis
14:55

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

A Human Bone Marrow 3D Model to Investigate the Dynamics and Interactions Between Resident Cells in Physiological or Tumoral Contexts
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A Human Bone Marrow 3D Model to Investigate the Dynamics and Interactions Between Resident Cells in Physiological or Tumoral Contexts

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Automated Quantification of Hematopoietic Cell – Stromal Cell Interactions in Histological Images of Undecalcified Bone
09:31

Automated Quantification of Hematopoietic Cell – Stromal Cell Interactions in Histological Images of Undecalcified Bone

Published on: April 8, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Histology
  • Biomineralization

Background:

  • Bone tissue comprises specialized cells within an extracellular matrix.
  • Understanding the ultrastructure of bone cells is crucial for comprehending bone remodeling and pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the fine structure of human and chick bone cells using electron microscopy.
  • To elucidate the cellular transformations during osteoblast differentiation into osteocytes.
  • To characterize the ultrastructural features of osteoclasts and their role in bone resorption.

Main Methods:

  • Electron microscopy of Araldite-embedded, undecalcified human woven and chick lamellar bone.
  • Detailed ultrastructural analysis of osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, and endosteal lining cells.

Main Results:

  • Active osteoblasts show abundant endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasmic processes extending into osteoid.
  • Osteoblasts transition into osteocytes with a progressive reduction in cytoplasmic organelles.
  • Osteoclasts exhibit unique features, including non-membrane-associated ribosomes and abundant mitochondria, with a brush border at resorption sites.
  • Collagen appears to be removed before or during mineral dissolution at resorption sites.
  • Endosteal lining cells cover bone surfaces and lack distinctive features.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a detailed ultrastructural map of bone cells in their native environment.
  • Cellular differentiation and specialization are reflected in organelle content and morphology.
  • Osteoclast ultrastructure supports their role in active bone resorption, with implications for collagen degradation timing.