What happens When an osteoblast becomes surrounded by calcified extracellular material?

When an osteoblast becomes surrounded by calcified extracellular material, it differentiates into an osteocyte and gets entrapped within the bone matrix. Osteocytes maintain bone homeostasis by regulating the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the bone tissue and the surrounding blood vessels. They form an interconnected network of cells that sense mechanical stresses and regulate bone remodeling, the process of breaking down old bone tissue and replacing it with new bone. Additionally, osteocytes secrete factors that control the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone formation and resorption, respectively. They coordinate and maintain the overall integrity and strength of the bone.