DESMOSOME

desmosome: translation

n. [Gr. desmos, bond; soma, body]

1. That portion of a cell membrane specialized for adhesion to a neighboring cell.

2. (ARTHROPODA: Insecta)

An attachment area between epidermal and muscle cells; the muscle fibrils of the muscles attach on one side and the epidermal microtubules attach on the other side of the desmosome; see hemidesmosome, tonofibrillae.

desmosome: translation

(= macula adherens junctions; spot desmosomes)

Specialized cell junction characteristic of epithelia into which intermediate filaments (tonofilaments of cytokeratin) are inserted. The gap between plasma membranes is of the order of 25-30nm and the intercellular space has a medial band of electron dense material. Desmosomes are particularly conspicuous in tissues such as skin that have to withstand mechanical stress.

См. десмосома.