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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...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes
05:03

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

Published on: February 24, 2023

Osteocytes: master orchestrators of bone.

Mitchell B Schaffler1, Wing-Yee Cheung, Robert Majeska

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

Calcified Tissue International
|September 18, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Osteocytes, bone

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Area of Science:

  • Bone Biology
  • Skeletal Metabolism
  • Cellular Endocrinology

Background:

  • Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone, acting as permanent residents.
  • Recent advances clarify their crucial roles in skeletal metabolism and regulation.
  • They are now recognized as key orchestrators of bone formation and resorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of osteocytes in bone.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which osteocytes sense and respond to stimuli.
  • To highlight osteocyte involvement in systemic phosphate metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of experimental and theoretical approaches.
  • Analysis of cell-cell communication within multicellular networks.
  • Investigation of signal transduction through the lacunar-canalicular system.

Main Results:

  • Osteocytes sense and integrate mechanical and chemical signals.
  • They regulate bone formation and resorption via direct and indirect communication.
  • Osteocytes influence systemic phosphate metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • Osteocytes are central regulators of skeletal homeostasis.
  • Their unique microenvironment dictates their function.
  • Osteocytes play a significant role beyond bone tissue, impacting systemic metabolism.