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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...
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
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 Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
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...
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...

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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Obtaining Primary Osteocytes Through Murine Calvarial Fractionation of GFP-Expressing Osteocytes
07:22

Obtaining Primary Osteocytes Through Murine Calvarial Fractionation of GFP-Expressing Osteocytes

Published on: June 2, 2020

The amazing osteocyte.

Lynda F Bonewald1

  • 1Department of Oral Biology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108-2784, USA. Bonewaldl@umkc.edu

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
|January 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Osteocytes, crucial bone cells, orchestrate bone remodeling and act as endocrine cells. Their viability is essential for bone health and systemic functions, impacting organs like the kidney and muscle.

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Obtaining Primary Osteocytes Through Murine Calvarial Fractionation of GFP-Expressing Osteocytes
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Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes
10:19

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes

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IDG-SW3 Cell Culture in a Three-Dimensional Extracellular Matrix
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Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cell biology
  • Bone biology

Background:

  • Osteocytes, comprising 90-95% of bone cells, were once considered passive.
  • Recent research reveals osteocytes actively regulate bone remodeling and function as endocrine cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the multifaceted roles of osteocytes in bone health and systemic physiology.
  • To underscore the importance of osteocyte viability for overall organ function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent molecular biology and functional data on osteocytes.
  • Analysis of osteocyte roles in bone remodeling, mineral metabolism, and endocrine signaling.
  • Examination of factors influencing osteocyte survival and death.

Main Results:

  • Osteocytes regulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity, influencing bone remodeling.
  • Osteocytes secrete factors affecting distant organs, including kidney and muscle.
  • Osteocyte death, observed in aging and disease, is linked to impaired bone remodeling.

Conclusions:

  • Healthy osteocytes are vital for maintaining bone integrity and function.
  • Osteocyte dysfunction impacts systemic health, affecting mineral metabolism and other organs.
  • Understanding osteocyte biology is critical for addressing bone diseases and age-related decline.