Connective tissue.... bone!
Cartilage, which is a supporting connective tissue Visual Anatomy and Physiology page 137
bone (osseus) tissue
Catilage
In lacunae, you can find chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are cells that are responsible for maintaining the extracellular matrix of cartilage tissue.
In biological terms, lacunae can refer to the small cavities within bone tissue where osteocytes reside. In a general sense, lacunae can also refer to any small empty space or gap within a structure.
When chondrocytes in lacunae divide and form new matrix, it leads to an expansion of the cartilage tissue from within. What is this process called?
Osseous tissue
Cells in lacunae allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste products with the surrounding extracellular matrix. They also help maintain tissue structure and function by secreting and maintaining the matrix components.
Osteocytes and lacunae are found in the mineralized extracellular matrix of bone tissue, not within a specific bone. Osteocytes are the primary cells of mature bone, residing within small cavities called lacunae.
The canal that connects lacunae to osteocytes is called a canaliculus. Canaliculi are small channels that allow for communication and nutrient exchange between osteocytes located within lacunae in compact bone tissue.
Lacunae
The type of tissue you are describing is osseous tissue, commonly known as bone tissue. It is characterized by a matrix that includes calcium salts and collagen fibers, which provide strength and rigidity. The structural components, such as lamellae (concentric layers) and lacunae (small cavities that house osteocytes), are essential for bone's support and maintenance functions. This specialized connective tissue plays a crucial role in the skeletal system.