ABSTRACT
Desmosomes are small structures which bond adjacent cells together, and are most abundant in tissues that are subject to severe mechanical stress, such as cardiac muscle, skin epithelium and the neck of the uterus (Figure 1.9). They are widely distributed in tissues, and enable groups of cells to function as structural units. Desmosomes can be divided into three different types: spot desmosomes, belt desmosomes and hemidesmosomes, all three of which are present in most epithelial cells.
