Here's why:
* Osteocytes are mature bone cells that reside in small spaces called lacunae within the hard bone matrix. They are responsible for maintaining the bone tissue, sensing mechanical stress, and communicating with other cells.
* Osteoblasts are the bone-building cells. They are responsible for creating new bone tissue. While they are present during bone formation, they are not the primary residents of already formed bones.
* Osteoclasts are responsible for breaking down bone tissue. They play a role in bone remodeling and repair, but they are not the main cell type found within mature bones.
Therefore, osteocytes are the cells that live within already formed bones.
