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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...
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.
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...
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...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes
10:19

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes

Published on: November 29, 2024

Studying osteocytes within their environment.

Duncan J Webster1, Philipp Schneider, Sarah L Dallas

  • 1Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Bone
|January 16, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Osteocytes, bone cells within the mineralized matrix, are key to sensing mechanical load and adapting bone structure. New imaging and biochemical techniques now allow for quantitative in vivo studies to better understand their function.

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Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts
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Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes
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A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes
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A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes

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Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts
07:13

Application of Retinoic Acid to Obtain Osteocytes Cultures from Primary Mouse Osteoblasts

Published on: May 13, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cell Biology
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Osteocytes, embedded in bone matrix, are hypothesized to be the primary mechanosensors regulating bone adaptation to mechanical load.
  • Direct experimental validation of osteocyte mechanosensing in vivo has been historically challenging due to their inaccessible location.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and emerging techniques for studying osteocyte function in vivo.
  • To highlight advancements in imaging and biochemical analysis relevant to osteocyte mechanobiology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of state-of-the-art ex vivo 3D imaging modalities for osteocyte structure.
  • Discussion of live cell imaging techniques for tracking osteocyte morphology and differentiation over time.
  • Integration of in vivo models with advanced biochemical assays and microfluidic imaging.

Main Results:

  • Recent technological advances are enabling the acquisition of quantitative in vivo experimental data on osteocyte function.
  • In situ imaging and in vivo models are providing new insights into the role of osteocytes in skeletal adaptation.
  • Combined approaches are leading to a more accurate understanding of osteocyte biological functions.

Conclusions:

  • Technological progress is overcoming previous limitations in studying osteocyte mechanobiology.
  • A combination of advanced imaging and biochemical analysis in vivo is crucial for elucidating osteocyte function.
  • Further research using these integrated techniques will refine our understanding of bone adaptation mechanisms.