Junctional complex

Junctional complexes are found at the apex of epithelial cells and have three components:  Zonula occludens, a band or belt encircling each cell that seals the lumen from the intercellular space; Zonula adherens, also a band that attaches adjacent cells to each other; and Desmosomes (maculae adherentes), which also provide cell attachment but consists of disk-like structures rather than encircling belts.  Desmosomes are also distributed in other regions of the cell.

Junctional complexes are found at the apex of epithelial cells and have three components:  Zonula occludens, a band or belt encircling each cell that seals the lumen from the intercellular space; Zonula adherens, also a band that attaches adjacent cells to each other; and Desmosomes (maculae adherentes), which also provide cell attachment but consists of disk-like structures rather than encircling belts.  Desmosomes are also distributed in other regions of the cell.

Junctional complexes are found at the apex of epithelial cells and have three components:  Zonula occludens, a band or belt encircling each cell that seals the lumen from the intercellular space; Zonula adherens, also a band that attaches adjacent cells to each other; and Desmosomes (maculae adherentes), which also provide cell attachment but consists of disk-like structures rather than encircling belts.  Desmosomes are also distributed in other regions of the cell.

Junctional complexes are found at the apex of epithelial cells and have three components:  Zonula occludens, a band or belt encircling each cell that seals the lumen from the intercellular space; Zonula adherens, also a band that attaches adjacent cells to each other; and Desmosomes (maculae adherentes), which also provide cell attachment but consists of disk-like structures rather than encircling belts.  Desmosomes are also distributed in other regions of the cell.

A hemidesmosome is a specialization of the basal plasma membrane of an epithelial cell and resembles one-half of a desmosome.  Hemidesmosomes serve to attach the basal surface of the cell to the basal lamina.