Biology of Bone Tissue: Structure, Function, and Factors That Influence Bone Cells

Figure 3

Light (a and b) and electron micrographs of portions of alveolar bone rats. (a) a semithin section stained with toluidine blue showing a portion of a bony trabecula (B). Osteoblasts (Ob) and bone lining cells (BLC) are present on bone surface while osteocytes (Ot) are observed entrapped in the bone matrix. BV: blood vessels. Scale bar: 15 μm. (b) Section subjected to the silver impregnation method. Note the cytoplasmic processes (arrows) of the osteocytes (Ot) connecting them with each other. Scale bar: 15 μm. (c) Scanning electron micrograph showing two osteocytes (Ot) surrounded by bone matrix (B). Note that the cytoplasmic processes (arrows) are observed between the osteocytes (Ot) forming an interconnected network. Scale bar: 2 μm. (d) Transmission electron micrograph showing a typical osteocyte (Ot) inside a lacuna (La) in the bone matrix (B), with its cytoplasmic processes (arrows) inside the canaliculi (Ca). Scale bar: 2 μm. N: nucleus.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)