Basis of differentiation 

Osteoblasts 

Osteocytes 

Definition 

Are bone cells responsible for bone formation 

Are bone cells responsible for maintaining bone matrix

Location 

Found on the surface of new bones

Reside in the lacunae inside of the bone 

Formation 

Are formed from osteogenic stem cells 

Are formed from osteoblasts

Maturity 

Are immature cells 

Are mature cells 

Structural characteristic  

Are cuboidal cells with no projections 

Are star-shaped cells with  characteristic dendritic processes

Main function 

Bone formation 

Maintenance of bone matrix