Which cells are primarily involved in bone resorption?

Osteoclasts are the cells primarily responsible for bone resorption, a process in which bone tissue is broken down and its minerals released into the bloodstream. These specialized cells have a unique ability to dissolve the mineralized matrix of bone and degrade its organic components, facilitating the remodeling and repair of bone tissue.

Bone resorption is a critical component of the body's calcium homeostasis and overall skeletal health. Osteoclasts work in coordination with osteoblasts, which are responsible for bone formation, creating a dynamic balance between bone resorption and deposition necessary for maintaining bone density and strength.

Osteocytes play a role in regulating bone metabolism but are not directly involved in resorption. Their primary function is to act as a mechanosensor and help maintain bone tissue. Chondrocytes are involved in the composition and maintenance of cartilage, not bone resorption. Therefore, the presence and activity of osteoclasts is essential for the resorption phase within the bone remodeling cycle.