CELLS OF THE BONE TISSUE – 4
Osteoclasts
Large multinucleated cells involved in bone tissue resorption.
Their cytoplasm is usually strongly stained in red by a mixture of hematoxylin and eosin.
At the interface between an osteoclast and the bone surface it is often possible to observe a thin, slightly concave space called Howship’s lacuna, highlighted in light brown and indicated by an arrow in the upper figure. Observe cytoplasmic extensions of the osteoclast that protrude into this space.
The osteoclast cytoplasm is highlighted in light blue and its nuclei in dark blue.
In the lower image: three osteoclasts, an osteocyte inside the matrix highlighted in green.
Osteoblasts on the surface of the bone matrix highlighted in light brown.
Large multinucleated cells involved in bone tissue resorption.
Their cytoplasm is usually strongly stained in red by a mixture of hematoxylin and eosin.
At the interface between an osteoclast and the bone surface it is often possible to observe a thin, slightly concave space called Howship’s lacuna, highlighted in light brown and indicated by an arrow in the upper figure. Observe cytoplasmic extensions of the osteoclast that protrude into this space.
The osteoclast cytoplasm is highlighted in light blue and its nuclei in dark blue.
In the lower image: three osteoclasts, an osteocyte inside the matrix highlighted in green.
Osteoblasts on the surface of the bone matrix highlighted in light brown.
Bone trabecula. Staining: HE. High magnification.
Bone trabecula. Staining: HE. High magnification.