FIGURE 1.

Osteocyte morphology and lacuno-canalicular network. A: osteocytes are highly interconnected to each other and to cells on the bone surface. Canaliculi connect osteocytes to the endocortical bone surface and the bone marrow compartment. Electron microscopy imaging of an acid etched bone. B: osteocyte-derived factors circulate through the canalicular system to reach other osteocytes and bone cells on the bone surface or in bone marrow. Immunostaining of Sclerostin in paraffin-embedded bone tissue. C: MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells display a stellate morphology with dendritic processes resembling those found in primary osteocytes. White arrows point to individual osteocytes; yellow arrows point to canaliculi.