What are mature osteoblasts referred to as?

• A. Osteoclasts
• B. Osteoblasts
• C. Osteocytes
• D. Lining cells

Answer: (C)

The term for mature osteoblasts is "osteocytes." Osteocytes develop from osteoblasts after the latter become embedded in the bone matrix they help to form. Once the osteoblasts are surrounded by mineralized bone, they differentiate into osteocytes, which play a critical role in bone maintenance and homeostasis by communicating with other bone cells and responding to mechanical stress. Osteocytes have long dendritic processes that extend through the canaliculi of the bone, allowing them to exchange signals and regulate bone remodeling.

Understanding the roles of various bone cells is crucial in bone densitometry, as it helps highlight the dynamic nature of bone tissue and its remodeling processes, which can have implications for conditions such as osteoporosis.