| desmosome | <cell biology> Specialised cell junction characteristic of epithelia into which intermediate filaments (tonofilaments of cytokeratin) are inserted. The gap between plasma membranes is of the order of 25-30nm and the intercellular space has a medial band of electron dense material. Desmosomes are particularly conspicuous in tissues such as skin that have to withstand mechanical stress. Origin: Gr. Soma = body (18 Nov 1997) |
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| desmosomes | A type of junction that attaches one cell to its neighbor. One of a number of differentiated regions which occur, for example, where the cytoplasmic membranes of adjacent epithelial cells are closely apposed. It consists of a circular region of each membrane together with associated intracellular microfilaments and an intercellular material which may include, for example, mucopolysaccharides. (12 Dec 1998) |
| desmosterol | <chemical> Chemical name: Cholesta-5,24-dien-3-ol, (3beta)- (12 Dec 1998) |
| desmoteric medicine | The branch of medical practice that deals with health problems occurring among prison inmates. Origin: G. Desmoterion, prison, fr. Deo, to bind, + -ic (05 Mar 2000) |
| desmotubule | <cell biology> Cylindrical membrane lined channel through a plasmodesma, linking the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum in the two cells. (18 Nov 1997) |
| desmoyokin | <cell biology> Desmosomal plaque protein (680 kD) from bovine muzzle keratinocytes. Homologous with human AHNAK protein. (18 Nov 1997) |