What is the Difference Between Lacunae and Osteocytes?

The main difference between lacunae and osteocytes is that lacunae are small spaces in the bone tissue, while osteocytes are nucleated living bone cells that maintain the bone mass.

Lacunae are small oblong spaces within the lamellae of bone tissue that house osteocytes. One lacuna can only contain one osteocyte, and there are numerous lacunae in an osteon located between lamellae.

Osteocytes, on the other hand, are star-shaped bone cells that form almost 95% of the bone tissue. They are responsible for maintaining bone mass and structure, and they can live for years. Osteocytes are one of the four types of bone cells, which also include osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone lining cells.

In summary, lacunae are small spaces in the bone tissue that house osteocytes, while osteocytes are living bone cells that maintain the bone mass and structure.

Comparative Table: Lacunae vs Osteocytes

Here is a table comparing the differences between lacunae and osteocytes:

Lacunae are small spaces in the lamellae of bone tissue that house osteocytes. Osteocytes are a type of bone cell responsible for maintaining bone mass and structure, as well as regulating the mineral concentration of the matrix. They are located in lacunae and are surrounded by bone tissue.