What type of bone cell is nourished by fluid from Haversian blood vessels?

Osteocytes are the correct type of bone cell that is nourished by fluid from Haversian blood vessels. These cells are mature bone cells that originate from osteoblasts, which are responsible for forming bone. Once osteoblasts become trapped in the matrix they secreted, they differentiate into osteocytes.

Osteocytes reside within small cavities called lacunae and extend long, slender processes through tiny channels known as canaliculi. This intricate network allows the osteocytes to communicate with each other and with the blood supply found in the Haversian canals. The fluid from these blood vessels delivers essential nutrients and oxygen, which are critical for the maintenance of bone tissue and the overall health of the bone. Thus, the function of osteocytes is not just structural; they play an active role in mineral regulation and the sensing of mechanical stress, adapting the bone accordingly.

In contrast, chondrocytes are cells found in cartilage, osteoblasts are involved in bone formation, and osteoclasts are responsible for bone resorption. Each type of cell has a distinct role in maintaining the overall health and integrity of the skeletal system, but it is osteocytes that specifically receive nourishment through the fluid from Haversian blood vessels.