Microfilaments behind desmosomes

Contacts of another type, known as septate desmosomes or adhesion discs, form a belt around the cells of invertebrate epithelia. In these contacts a space of 18 nm between adjacent cell membranes is bridged in a number of places by thin walls. Behind the desmosomes the membrane is often backed up at these points by an electron-dense region to which are attached many fine microfilaments of -6-10 nm diameter (Fig. 1-15, D). 

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