Osseous tissue
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Osseous tissue, or bone tissue is the major structural and supportive connective tissue of the body. Osseous tissue forms the bones that make up the skeletal system. The bone tissue is a mineralized connective tissue. Bone-forming cells called osteoblasts deposit a matrix of collagen, but they also release calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions, which chemically combine and harden within the matrix into the mineral hydroxyapatite. The combination of hard mineral and flexible collagen makes bone harder than cartilage without being brittle. The microscopic structure of mammalian bone consists of repeating units called Haversian systems. Each system has concentric layers of mineralized matrix, which are deposited around a central canal containing blood vessels and nerves that service the bone.
Bone tissue is different from bones themeselves - bones are organs made up of bone tissue as well as marrow, blood vessels, epithelium and nerves, while bone tissue refers specifically to the mineral matrix that form the rigid sections of the organ.
Osseous tissue performs numerous functions including:
Directly:
- Support for muscles, organs, and soft tissues.
- Leverage and movement.
- Protection of vital organs. e.g. the heart
- Calcium phosphate storage.
Indirectly:
- Hemopoiesis - formation of blood cells.
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