GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -As the bone matrix mineralizes, some osteoblasts become trapped in small spaces within the matrix (lacunae). These trapped osteoblasts become osteocytes, the cells responsible for maintenance of the bony matrix.

Detailed explanation-2: -Osteoblasts in the organized epithelioid structure secrete bone organic matrix, and remain as a tight epithelium to control the matrix environment for mineralization.

Detailed explanation-3: -Osteocytes regulate local mineral deposition and chemistry at the bone matrix level, and they also function as endocrine cells producing factors that target distant organs such as the kidney to regulate phosphate transport. Osteocytes appear to be the major local orchestrator of many of bone’s functions.

Detailed explanation-4: -Osteocytes sit in the calcified matrix, in small spaces called lacunae (lacuna-singular).