Bone tissue: cells and matrix

Osteoblasts lie on the surface of bone and produce the organic components of the extracellular matrix: ground substance and collagen fibers. Osteoblasts are large, plump cells filled with the organelles necessary for protein production. Osteoblasts are located wherever bone growth is occurring, i.e., in both the endosteum and the periosteum

Formation of the extracellular matrix of bone begins with deposition of the organic portion, osteoid, by osteoblasts. Osteoid appears as a pale band on the bone surface immediately beneath the active osteoblasts and consists mainly of type I collagen fibrils. Type I collagen fibrils comprise about 90% of the total protein of osteoid and thus the matrix is highly eosinophilic. In addition to collagen, osteoid also contains proteoglycan aggregates. Osteoid rapidly becomes mineralized with calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite).

After osteoid is formed, it becomes mineralized with an inorganic matrix of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite). Hydroxyapatite is deposited along collagen fibers in the matrix, giving bone rigidity to serve as a framework for the body, support and as protection. The matrix also serves as a reservoir for calcium. The abundance of collagen and calcium produces an eosinophilically-stained, extracellular matrix.

Osteocytes are osteoblasts that have surrounded themselves with matrix and, therefore, lie within (rather than on) bone. Although not visible here, numerous processes radiate out from each cell body, communicating with other osteocytes and with surface cells. Osteocytes lie within spaces called lacunae, seen here as a halo surrounding each cell body. Osteocytes maintain the bone matrix.

Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that resorb bone. They are located in both the endosteum and the periosteum. Each possesses elaborate infoldings of the plasma membrane, which aid in bone resorption, creating a small bony depression (Howship’s lacuna) in the process. Osteoclasts are derived from the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage.

Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that resorb bone. They are located in both the endosteum and the periosteum. Each possesses elaborate infoldings of the plasma membrane, which aid in bone resorption, creating a small bony depression (Howship’s lacuna) in the process. Osteoclasts are derived from the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage.

Bone lining cells are quiescent, flattened osteoblasts that cover bone surfaces, where neither bone resorption nor bone formation is occurring. They can be induced to proliferate and differentiate into osteoblasts and may also represent a source of “determined” osteogenic precursors. Bone lining cells maintain bone remodeling and mineral homeostasis.

The spicule is surrounded by red bone marrow which produces all the circulating blood cells. Numerous blood vessels (sinusoids) in the bone marrow serve to transport newly formed blood cells into the general circulation.

The spicule is surrounded by red bone marrow which produces all the circulating blood cells. Numerous blood vessels (sinusoids) in the bone marrow serve to transport newly formed blood cells into the general circulation.