Anatomy & Physiology I and II

Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide Osteoclasts are cells that remove and recycle bone matrix. These are giant cells with 50 or more nuclei. They are derived from the same stem cells that produce monocytes and macrophages. In living bone, osteoclasts are constantly removing matrix, and osteoblasts are always adding to it. The balance between the opposing activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is very important. When osteoclasts remove calcium salts faster than osteoblasts deposit them, bones weaken. When osteoblast activity predominates, bones become stronger and more massive.

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