Desmosome

Desmosome (from the Greek desmo & soma, "fiber body")

Desmosomes

Desmosomes are a special type of cell junction connecting adjacent cells together. Also known as macula adherens ("adhering spot"), desmosomes are a type of junctional complexes found in epithelial and muscle cells. They are made up of molecular complexes that attach cell adhesion proteins to intracellular keratin cytoskeletal filaments. Certain blistering diseases of the skin such as Pemphigus vulgaris are a result of genetic defects that result in abnormal desmosomal proteins, and hence defective cell-to-cell junctions.