Monday, November 28, 2011


The osteoblast is a bone tissue cell responsible for the formation of bones. Located on the surface of bone, osteoblasts produce the extracellular matrix and enzymes needed for the calcification of the matrix (osteoid). After an osteoblast is encased by osteoid matrix produced by itself, it becomes an osteocyte. When the extracellular matrix becomes hard, it is located in small cavity called lacuna, and contacts its neighboring osteocytes through thin cellular extensions, lying in small bony ducts or canals, called canaliculi.