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Related Concept Videos

Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
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...
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.
Bone Remodeling and Repair01:31

Bone Remodeling and Repair

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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
08:01

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors

Published on: February 28, 2017

Osteocyte signaling in bone.

Mitchell B Schaffler1, Oran D Kennedy

  • 1New York Center for Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY, 10031, USA. mschaffler@ccny.cuny.edu

Current Osteoporosis Reports
|May 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Osteocytes, once thought inactive, are now recognized as key regulators of bone. These cells sense mechanical stress and orchestrate bone formation, resorption, and mineral balance.

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A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
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A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Published on: June 8, 2014

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
08:01

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors

Published on: February 28, 2017

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
11:47

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Published on: June 8, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Bone Biology
  • Cellular Endocrinology
  • Skeletal Physiology

Background:

  • Osteocytes constitute 90-95% of bone cells, historically viewed as passive.
  • Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were considered primary regulators of bone remodeling.
  • Osteocyte dysfunction is linked to skeletal disorders like osteoporosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the central regulatory role of osteocytes in bone homeostasis.
  • To highlight osteocytes as mechanosensors and orchestrators of bone remodeling.
  • To explore the broader functions of osteocytes beyond local bone regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on osteocyte function.
  • Analysis of studies investigating osteocyte signaling pathways.
  • Examination of osteocyte involvement in bone mechanotransduction.

Main Results:

  • Osteocytes are principal sensors of mechanical loading in bone.
  • They produce factors that regulate both bone formation and resorption.
  • Osteocytes influence local matrix mineralization and act as endocrine cells regulating phosphate transport.

Conclusions:

  • Osteocytes are not quiescent but are central regulators of bone dynamics.
  • They play a critical role in sensing mechanical stimuli and orchestrating bone remodeling.
  • Osteocytes function locally and systemically, impacting bone health and mineral metabolism.