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Osteocytes

Meaning

Osteocytes are the most abundant and long-lived cells found within mature bone tissue, originating from osteoblasts that have become embedded within the mineralized bone matrix. Functionally, these cells act as the principal mechanosensors of the skeleton, detecting mechanical strain and orchestrating the coordinated activity of bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts. They are crucial endocrine regulators, producing molecules like sclerostin that modulate bone remodeling. Maintaining the health and proper signaling of osteocytes is fundamentally important for preserving skeletal integrity and preventing conditions like osteoporosis, especially as hormonal levels decline with age.