Osteoclasts: The Bone Cells That Remove Damaged Tissue

The bone cell that absorbs and removes unwanted tissue is called an osteoclast. Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that are responsible for breaking down and resorbing bone tissue. They are essential for maintaining bone homeostasis, as they help to remove old and damaged bone tissue and make way for new bone growth. Osteoclasts are activated by a number of factors, including parathyroid hormone (PTH) and RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand). PTH is produced by the parathyroid glands and is responsible for regulating calcium levels in the blood. RANKL is produced by osteoblasts and is essential for the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts.