Table 1.

The effect of osteocyte density and surface geometry on osteoblast fate and function. This table provides a quantitative assessment of the end result in each geometric configuration illustrated in Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c. Each geometry calculations are based on formation of 40 μm or 60 μm thick volume new bone. The table illustrates the fate of the initial set of 128 osteoblasts, identifying the number of osteocytes (N_o) and lining cells (N_L) that are required and the probability of an initial osteoblast form an osteocyte (ρ_o), a lining cell (ρ_l), or to undergo apoptisis (ρ_A). Calculations for cortical and trabecular cancellous bone differ based on published values for osteocyte density in cortical and trabecular bone. Note that the required probability for osteocyte formation (ρ_o) increases dramatically in these examples from 0.13 to 0.69 as the surface geometry changes from concave to convex, as the osteocyte density changes from cortical to cancellous bone, and as the thickness of new bone increases.