Skin: Micrographs

Examine the electron micrographs so that you understand the ultrastructural equivalents of the structures you have seen under the microscope.

Desmosomes (human)

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Desmosomes. The stratum spinosum of skin epithelium has conspicuous desmosomes. Intermediate filaments (keratin in epithelium) are associated with desmosomes.
Junqueira, LC and Carneiro, J, Basic Histology 11th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 2005. P. 48.

Desmosomes in Stratum Spinosum

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Desmosomes in stratum spinosum (hamster cheek pouch epithelium). Tonofilaments (keratin) fill the cells and insert into attachment plaques, intracellular disk-shaped structures containing desmoplakins and plakoglobins. The intercellular space contains the intermediate line containing transmembrane glycoproteins, the desmogleins and desmocollins (members of the cadherin family of calcium dependent adhesion molecules).
Fawcett DW, The Cell: An Atlas of Fine Structure, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1966, p. 371.

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