osteoclast
Americannoun
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Cell Biology. one of the large multinuclear cells in growing bone concerned with the absorption of osseous tissue, as in the formation of canals.
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Surgery. an instrument for effecting osteoclasis.
noun
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a surgical instrument for fracturing bone
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a large multinuclear cell formed in bone marrow that is associated with the normal absorption of bone
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A specialized bone cell that absorbs bone, allowing for the deposition of new bone and maintenance of bone strength. Osteoclasts secrete enyzmes that dissolve the matrix of old bone tissue and acids that dissolve bone salts, which contain calcium and phosphorus. Except in growing bone, the rate of bone deposition and bone absorption equal each other so that bone mass remains constant. A mass of osteoclasts absorbs bone from the outer surfaces inward for about three weeks. The osteoclasts are then converted into osteoblasts that form new bone to fill in the cavities.
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See also osteoblast
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of osteoclast
1870–75; osteo- + -clast < Greek klastós broken
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Vocabulary lists containing osteoclast
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Suppressing osteoclast differentiation can, therefore, serve as a therapeutic strategy to prevent bone loss.
From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024
In a new groundbreaking study, Professor Tadayoshi Hayata, Mr. Takuto Konno, and Ms. Hitomi Murachi from Tokyo University of Science, along with their co-workers, delved deeper into the molecular regulation of osteoclast differentiation.
From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024
The researchers subsequently demonstrated that the reduction in osteoclast activity is the result of a soluble substance released locally in bone tissues by osteoblasts 'activated' by PEPITEM.
From Science Daily ● May 21, 2024
"We also showed bone resorption by osteoclast is defected in doble knock mouse" says co-senior author of the second paper, Shiou-ling Lu.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2023
An osteoblast engaged in the absorption instead of the formation of bone is called an osteoclast.
From Text Book of Biology, Part 1: Vertebrata by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
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