Osteocyte
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An osteocyte, a star-shaped cell, is the most abundant cell found in bone. Once osteoblasts become trapped in the matrix they secrete, they become osteocytes. Osteocytes are networked to each other via long processes that occupy tiny canals called canaliculi, which are used for exchange of nutrients and waste. The space that an osteocyte occupies is called a lacuna (Latin for a pit). Their main function involves maintaining the bone tissue. Tracing the path of an osteocyte can be frustrating, if not impossible.
Hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate is deposited around the cell.
[edit] External links
- Histology at BU 02003loa - "Cartilage and Bone and Bone Histogenesis: cells of bone "
- Histology at BU 02705loa - "Cartilage and Bone and Bone Histogenesis: compact bone"
- Histology at ou.edu
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| Bone and cartilage - edit |
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| cartilage: chondroblast, chondrocyte, perichondrium, types (hyaline, elastic, fibrous), fibrocartilage callus, metaphysis
bone: ossification (intramembranous, endochondral, epiphyseal plate), cycle (osteoblast, osteoid, osteocyte, osteoclast), types (cancellous, cortical), regions (epiphysis, diaphysis), structure (osteon/Haversian system, Haversian canals, endosteum, periosteum, Sharpey's fibres, lacunae, canaliculi, trabeculae, medullary cavity, bone marrow), shapes (long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid) |
