Lacunae

Definition

Lacunae are small cavities in bone or cartilage tissue that house cells, such as osteocytes in bones and chondrocytes in cartilage. These spaces are crucial for providing nutrients and removing waste for the enclosed cells.

Related terms

Osteocytes:

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue, residing within lacunae.

Chondrocytes:

Cartilage cells that produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, found within lacunae of cartilage.

Canaliculi:

Microscopic canals between the lacunae of ossified bone, through which nutrients and wastes are transported to and from osteocytes