Oszteociták

Oszteociták are mature bone cells that reside within the lacunae of bone tissue. They originate from osteoblasts, which are bone-forming cells. Once osteoblasts become embedded in the bone matrix they have produced, they differentiate into osteocytes. These cells play a crucial role in maintaining the bone matrix and are connected to each other and to the surface of the bone through a network of small channels called canaliculi. Through these canaliculi, osteocytes can exchange nutrients and waste products with the blood supply and with other bone cells. Osteocytes are believed to be mechanosensory cells, meaning they can detect mechanical stresses placed on the bone. This ability is important for bone remodeling, the continuous process of bone resorption and formation that helps to repair microdamage and adapt bone structure to mechanical loads. While osteoblasts are responsible for building new bone and osteoclasts are responsible for breaking it down, osteocytes are the most abundant cell type in mature bone and are considered essential for bone health and function. Their activity influences both the formation and resorption processes, contributing to the overall balance of bone metabolism.