PubMed · 1097542
The epidermal-dermal junction.
Abstract
Ultrastructurally, the epidermal-dermal junction is composed of four component areas:(1) the basal cell plasma membrane with its specialized attachment devices or hemidesmosomes, (2) an electron-lucent area, the lamina lucida, (3) the basal lamina, and (4) the sub-basal lamina fibrous components, including anchoring fibrils, dermal microfibril bundles, and collagen fibers. The light microscopic "basement membrane" comprises only the sub-basal lamina fibrous zone. Other cell types, including melanocytes and Merkel cells, are also found at the epidermal-dermal junction. Structures at the junction derive their origin from the epidermis and dermis: the basal lamina is primarily of epidermal origin, the anchoring fibrils of dermal origin. The junction serves the following functions: (1) epidermal-dermal adherence, (2) mechanical support for the epidermis, and (3) a barrier to the exchange of cells and of some large molecules across the junction.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
R A Briggaman, C E Wheeler. 1975. The epidermal-dermal junction.. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12598050
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.