Which statement about bone tissue describes osteocytes?

Which statement about bone tissue describes osteocytes?

• A. Chondrocytes reside in lacunae within the bone matrix
• B. Osteocytes reside in lacunae within the bone matrix
• C. Osteoblasts reside in lacunae within the bone matrix
• D. Fibroblasts reside in lacunae within the bone matrix

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that mature bone cells called osteocytes live inside lacunae, which are small spaces in the hard bone matrix. As bone forms, osteoblasts lay down the matrix and some get embedded, becoming osteocytes that stay there to maintain the surrounding bone and communicate with nearby cells through tiny channels called canaliculi. Chondrocytes live in lacunae too, but in cartilage tissue rather than bone. Osteoblasts are the cells that create bone and are found on the surface of existing bone, not embedded within the bone matrix. Fibroblasts are typical connective tissue cells found in soft tissues, not embedded in bone lacunae.

The main idea is that mature bone cells called osteocytes live inside lacunae, which are small spaces in the hard bone matrix. As bone forms, osteoblasts lay down the matrix and some get embedded, becoming osteocytes that stay there to maintain the surrounding bone and communicate with nearby cells through tiny channels called canaliculi.

Chondrocytes live in lacunae too, but in cartilage tissue rather than bone. Osteoblasts are the cells that create bone and are found on the surface of existing bone, not embedded within the bone matrix. Fibroblasts are typical connective tissue cells found in soft tissues, not embedded in bone lacunae.