Intercellular Junctions

Horizontal section through the stratum spinosum of the skin, with polygonal prickle cells (Malpighian cells , keratinocytes ) and large intercellular spaces.  These spaces are spanned by thorn-like cell processes (intercellular junctions) 1 . Small, thicker nodules form at the points of contact between the cell processes of adjacent cells. These are the junction nodules ( nodes of Bizzozero ), which are complicate d attachment structures known as desmosomes (desmos, Greek: connection; soma: body).

Stain: hemalum-eosin; magnification: × 675

Cytoplasmic processes from neighboring epithelial cells, some slender processes, some wider ones, protrude into the extended extracellular space 1  ( intercellular junctions). When they make contact, attachment structures  (desmosomes) 2 form. These structures are identical to the junction nodes seen in light microscopy. Bundles of intermediary filaments (Tonofilaments) 3 connect to the attachment structures.

Electron microscopy; magnification: × 23 000

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgar t · New York .

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