Question

Differentiate between an osteoblast & an osteoclast in appearance, in location & in function.

Answer 1

Appearance

Osteoblast are mononucleated small cells and they possess parathyroid hormone receptors. When they are active they are cuboidal or polygonal in shape and when inactive they will appear as flat cells.

Osteoblast are multinucleated large cells and contains about 50 nuclei and measures about 100 micro meter in diameter. The cytoplasm is foamy appearance. At the active site of bone resorption it has a ruffled border.

Location

Osteoblast are seen mainly in periosteum where the bone forming activity is being taking place and thus it helps to produce new bone.

Osteoclast are found in bone matrix near to the active bone resorption sites that is in howship lacunae or resorption bays.

Function

The osteoblast helps in new bone formation while the osteoclast helps in bone resorption and by the coordinated function of both of these cells help in bone remodeling.