desmosome /des·mo·some/ (dez´mo-sōm) a circular, dense body that forms the site of attachment between certain epithelial cells, especially those of stratified epithelium of the epidermis, which consist of local differentiations of the apposing cell membranes. 
desmosome 
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Desmosome.
des·mo·some (d z m -s m )n. A structure that forms the site of adhesion between two cells, consisting of a dense plate in each adjacent cell separated by a thin layer of extracellular material. Also called macula adherens. |
desmosome
[dez′məsōm]
Etymology: Gk, desmos, band, soma, body
a small, circular, dense area within the intercellular bridge that forms the site of adhesion between certain epithelial cells, especially the stratified epithelium of the epidermis. Also called macula adherens.
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Desmosome
desmosome
the 'spot-welds' which provide one of the structural units that bind epithelial cells together. Half units are called hemidesmosomes.
desmosome core
a dense core of glycoproteins filling the space between cells which are adhered by desmosomes.
half d's
structures which provide points of adhesion to anchor cytoskeletal elements to basal cell membranes. Called also hemidesmosomes.
desmosome
A site of adhesion between two adjacent cells, such as in the corneal epithelium. It consists of a small, dense body in which the two halves are separated by an intercellular gap filled with extracellular substance. The basal cells are attached at irregular intervals to the underlying basement membrane (adjacent to Bowman's layer) by hemidesmosomes (one half of a desmosome). Thus, scraping off the epithelium usually leaves fragments of the basal cells attached to the basement membrane.
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