Q. What are the three major cell types that form the osseous tissue? What are their functions?
The three major cell types of the osseous tissue are the osteocytes, the osteoblasts and the osteoclasts.
Osteoblasts are called as bone-forming cells since they are the cells that secrete the proteinaceous part of the bone matrix (collagen, proteoglycans and glycoproteins) the bone matrix is the intercellular space where the mineral substances of the bones are deposited.
Osteocytes have the function of supporting the tissue, Osteocytes are differentiated mature osteoblasts formed after these cells are completely surrounded by the bone matrix.
Osteoclasts are the giant multinucleate cells that remodelate the osseous tissue, They are originated from monocytes and they contain many lisosomes, Osteoblasts secrete enzymes that digest the osseous matrix creating canals throughout the tissue.