Question

What is the function of the lacuna?

Answer 1

The little hollow spaces at the junctures of lamellae in a bone are called lacunae.

Function of lacuna- contain osteocytes.

Lacuna literally means a small gap or cavity.

In compact bone,there are minute , cylindrical structures called haversian systems, formed by concentric layers of

collagen.

Within haversian systems, there are small cavities

called lacunae, inside which osteocytes are trapped. These osteocytes send long processes called canaliculi. The canaliculi from neighbouring osteocytes unite to form tight junctions, a system of cavities of interconnected channels.

Osteocytes are concerned with maintainance of bone as living tissue because of their metabolic activity. Osteocytes also mainatain exchange of calcium between bone and extracellular fluid.

There are lacunae present in cartilage also , containing chondrocytes known as cartilage lacunae.