What are osteolasts and what do they do?

Osteoclasts are specialized cells responsible for bone resorption, a process crucial for maintaining bone health and homeostasis. They break down bone tissue by dissolving the mineral matrix and degrading the collagen framework, releasing calcium and phosphate into the bloodstream. This activity is essential for regulating mineral levels, facilitating bone remodeling, and responding to mechanical stress or injury. Osteoclasts work in balance with osteoblasts, which are cells that build new bone.