Tags: Anatomical Structure.
An osteoclast (from the Greek words for bone (Οστό) and broken (κλαστός)) is a type of bone cell that resorbs bone tissue. Thisfunction is critical in the maintenance and repair of compact bones in the mammalian skeleton. These bones are strongerthan aluminum on a weight basis by being a composite material of approximately equal amounts of hydrated protein and mineral. The osteoclast disassembles thisvery strong composite at a molecular level by secreting acid anda collagenase.
