CELLS OF THE BONE TISSUE – 3
Osteoclasts
The osteoclasts are large cells, formed by the fusion of macrophages. They are located on the bone surface and are involved in bone tissue resorption.
They have dark acidophilic cytoplasm, staining red after HE. They are multinucleated.
Sometimes, it is possible to observe that at the interface between the osteoclast and the bone surface there is a thin, slightly concave space called Howship’s lacuna (highlighted in gray and indicated by an arrow in the upper figure). Observe that osteoclast extensions protrude into this space.
The osteoclasts in both figures are highlighted in light blue and their nuclei in dark blue. Osteocytes are highlighted in green and osteoblasts in light brown.
The osteoclasts are large cells, formed by the fusion of macrophages. They are located on the bone surface and are involved in bone tissue resorption.
They have dark acidophilic cytoplasm, staining red after HE. They are multinucleated.
Sometimes, it is possible to observe that at the interface between the osteoclast and the bone surface there is a thin, slightly concave space called Howship’s lacuna (highlighted in gray and indicated by an arrow in the upper figure). Observe that osteoclast extensions protrude into this space.
The osteoclasts in both figures are highlighted in light blue and their nuclei in dark blue. Osteocytes are highlighted in green and osteoblasts in light brown.
Dermis. Staining: hematoxylin and eosin. Magnification: hugh.
Inflammatory infiltrate. Staining: HE. Magnification: high.