• Mitophagy is a selective mitochondrial quality control mechanism that degrades damaged mitochondria via PINK1/Parkin and receptor-mediated pathways.
• Excessive mitophagy in osteoclasts promotes bone resorption by maintaining ROS homeostasis, regulating energy metabolism, and enhancing osteoclast differentiation while inhibiting apoptosis.
• Mitophagy exhibits dual roles in bone metabolism, acting as both a protective and detrimental factor depending on cellular context and extent.
• Targeting mitophagy in osteoclasts represents a novel therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis, with potential for both Western and traditional Chinese medicine interventions.