Where are osteocytes located?

Osteocytes are the mature bone cells found within small cavities called lacunae. These lacunae are situated between the layers of the bone matrix and serve to house osteocytes, providing them with a sheltered environment. Osteocytes play a crucial role in maintaining bone health, as they respond to mechanical stress and communicate with other bone cells to regulate bone remodeling.

While the medullary cavity is a central space within the bone that contains bone marrow, and canaliculi are tiny channels that connect lacunae and allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste among osteocytes, neither of these structures is where the osteocytes themselves reside. The periosteum is a connective tissue that covers the outer surface of bones and does not contain osteocytes; rather, it is involved in the growth and repair of bone, as well as serving as an attachment point for tendons and ligaments. Thus, the correct answer reflects the specific location where osteocytes are found, highlighting their role and importance in bone structure and function.