Osteocyte
1099547
211387481
2008-05-10T02:28:09Z
Jameswcheng
2252318
[[Image:Transverse Section Of Bone.png|thumb|Transverse Section Of Bone]]
An '''osteocyte''', a star-shaped [[cell (biology)|cell]], is the most abundant cell found in [[bone]]. Cells contain a nucleus and a thin ring of cytoplasm. Once [[osteoblast|osteoblasts]] become trapped in the matrix they secrete, they become osteocytes. Osteocytes are networked to each other via long cytoplasmic extensions that occupy tiny canals called [[canaliculus_(bone)|canaliculi]], which are used for exchange of nutrients and waste. The space that an osteocyte occupies is called a [[lacuna (histology)|lacuna]] ([[Latin]] for a ''pit''). Although osteocytes have reduced synthetic activity and, like osteoblasts are not capable of mitotic division, they are actively involved in the routine turnover of bony matrix, through various mechanosensory mechanisms. They destroy bone through a rapid, transient (relative to [[osteoclast]]s) mechanism called osteocytic osteolysis. Osteoblasts/osteocytes develop in mesenchyme.
[[Hydroxylapatite|Hydroxyapatite]], calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate is deposited around the cell.
==External links==
<!-- In mature bones are the osteocyte lacunae are no longer lens shaped; they join with each other and form spiral / helical tubes and thus continue with the Haversian / Volkman canals in one side and on the other side it is continued as canaliculi. Canaliculi anastomose with each other and make new big channels which ultimately open into the bone marrow. Thus, the material which has been entered via the arteries of Haversian canals is synthesised in the osteocyte canals(not in the osteocyte lacunae)and distributed to the bones via osteocyte lacunae, and ultimately excreted in the bone marrow. they also have long creepy things sticking out the edge of them and no one knows what they are called-->
* {{BUHistology|02003loa}} - "Cartilage and Bone and Bone Histogenesis: cells of* {{BUHistology|02705loa}} - "Cartilage and Bone and Bone Histogenesis: compact bone"
* [http://casweb.cas.ou.edu/pbell/Histology/Captions/Bone/osteocyte.2.html Histology at ou.edu]
{{Cell-biology-stub}}
{{Bone and cartilage}}
[[Category:Skeletal system]]
[[Category:Secretory cells]]
[[Category:Human cells]]
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