osteocyte

American  

[os-tee-uh-sahyt] / ˈɒs ti əˌsaɪt /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a cell of osseous tissue within the bone matrix; a bone cell.

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osteocyte Scientific  

/ ŏs′tē-ə-sīt′ /

1. A cell characteristic of mature bone tissue. It is derived from osteoblasts and embedded in the calcified matrix of bone. Osteocytes are found in small, round cavities called lacunae and have thin, cytoplasmic branches.

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Etymology

Origin of osteocyte

First recorded in 1940–45; osteo- + -cyte

Compare meaning

How does osteocyte compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• osteoblast vs. osteocyte

Example Sentences

Each osteocyte is located in a space called a lacuna and is surrounded by bone tissue.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013