Osteoplasts

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of cell responsible for the formation of bone tissue by producing the bone matrix and helping in mineralization
2. Cells that contribute to the development and maintenance of bone structure by synthesizing and secreting the components of bone tissue
3. Specialized cells involved in the growth and repair of bones by generating the organic matrix and regulating mineral deposition

Etymology: "Osteoplasts" is the plural of "osteoplast," built from the Greek "osteon," meaning "bone," and "plastos," meaning "molded" or "formed," from the verb "plassein," to shape. The same root gives English "plastic" and, through a Greek word meaning "something molded," "plasma." Literally, these are bone-molding cells.