Osteocyte morphology in human tibiae of different bone pathologies with different bone mineral density - Is there a role for mechanosensing?

The differences in 3D morphology of osteocytes and their lacunae in long bones of different pathologies with different BMD might reflect an adaptation to matrix strain due to different external loading conditions. Moreover, since direct mechanosensing of matrix strain likely occurs by the cell bodies, the differences in osteocyte morphology and their lacunae might indicate differences in osteocyte mechanosensitivity. The exact relationship between osteocyte morphology and bone architecture, however, is complex and deserves further study.