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What role do desmosomes play in the epidermis?

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A pangolin walks through grass with a blue circle around it and the word endangered written in white across the image. — Integument The pangolin is the only mammal in the world covered in scales.

In the epidermis, desmosomes serve as critical adhering junctions that anchor contiguous cells together. Because the skin is frequently subject to abrasion and mechanical stress, these structures play a vital role in maintaining tissue integrity.12

By associating with keratin filaments that cross the interior of the cell, desmosomes allow for the distribution of mechanical shear force throughout the epithelial sheet. This linkage creates a nearly continuous fibrous network that connects adjacent cells, ensuring the tissue remains stable and resilient despite external physical pressures.1