Interconnectivity Explains High Canalicular Network Robustness between Neighboring Osteocyte Lacunae in Human Bone

Quantifying the osteocyte lacunae density in human cortical bone

Osteocytes are the basic bone cells and are located in lacunae inside the bone matrix. Each osteocyte is connected to its neighbours through tiny channels (canaliculi) with a diameter of less than a micrometer. This osteocyte network plays an important role in mechanically induced adaptive bone remodeling, whereby the individual osteocytes work as mechano-sensors to detect states of local under...

Spatial heterogeneity in the canalicular density of the osteocyte network in human osteons

Osteocytes interconnect with each other forming an intricate cell network within the mineralized bone matrix. One important function of the osteocyte network is the mechano-regulation of bone remodeling, where a possible mechanism includes the fluid flow through the porosity housing the cell network - the osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network (OLCN). In our study the OLCN in human osteons was th...

Osteocyte Lacunae and Canaliculi in Cortical and Trabecular Bones

INTRODUCTION: Osteocytes, the most abundant cells in mature bone, are strategically placed to regulate the homeostasis and mechanical adaptation of bone [1]. Interstitial fluid flow and solute transport have been hypothesized to be involved in osteocyte metabolism and mechanosensition [2]. Recent experimental and theoretical studies have shown that the anatomical features of the lacunar-canalic...

Nanostructure and mechanical property of the osteocyte lacunar-canalicular network associated bone matrix revealed by quantitative nanomechanical mapping

The lacuno-canalicular system (LCS) and osteocyte network of alveolar bone by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).

The osteocyte lacuno-canalicular system (OLCS) is a large network intercommunicating the lacunae and canaliculi which contain the osteocytes and their cytoplasmic processes within the mineralized bone matrix. The vitality and functioning of the osteocytes and cytoplasmic processes depend upon this intercommunication. To date, the 3-dimensional features of OLCS in the alveolar bone have not been...