Question

What are osteocytes?

Answer 1

Osteocytes are bone cells. They comprise 90-95% of all bone cells. Osteocytes are satellite shaped cells within the mineralized bone matrix. Osteocytes bone cells are the most abundant bone cells in the adult human skeleton.

Complete answer:
Osteocytes are cells located inside the bon. It is present in the fully formed bones. Osteocytes occupy a small chamber called a lacuna which is contained in the calcified matrix of bone.
Osteocytes derived their name from osteoblast or bone forming cells. An adult human body has about 42 billion osteocytes bone cells. One of the exceptions of osteocytes bone cells is that they do not divide at all & have an average half life of 25 years. Osteocytes are simple osteoblasts trapped in the matrix that the main function of these bone cells is the bone deposition and reabsorption. It is also involved in bone remodeling by transmitting signals to the other osteocytes in response whenever it causes a deformation due to some muscular activity. Osteocytes are said to be mechano-sensor cells that control the activity of osteoblasts and osteocytes within a basic multicellular unit (BMU). BMU is the temporary anatomic structure where bone remodeling occurs. Osteocytes contain glutamate transporters that produce nerve growth factors after bone fracture when osteocytes are destroyed the bone reabsorption, decreased bone formation and loss of response to unloading osteocytes regulates the local mineral deposition at the bone matrix level.

Note: Osteocytes regulated the calcium into and out of the bone. Osteocytes maintain the bone tissue. Osteocytes receive nutrients and eliminate wastes through blood vessels in the compound. Bone cells are mainly of four types: osteoblast, osteoclast, osteocyte and osteoprogenitor. Osteoblastic can either form osteocytes or can undergo programmed cell death.