Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which intercellular connections keep keratinocytes tightly interconnected on the skin's surface?

1. Desmosomes

2. Gap Junctions

3. Tight Junctions

4. Adherens Junctions

The correct answer is: Desmosomes

Desmosomes are specialized structures that play a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of tissues by providing strong intercellular connections. In the context of keratinocytes, which are the predominant cell type in the epidermis, desmosomes create anchoring points between adjacent cells. This helps to keep keratinocytes tightly interconnected, ensuring that the epidermis remains stable and resilient against mechanical stress and shear forces. The robust nature of desmosomal connections is vital for maintaining the barrier function of the skin, contributing to its protective properties. Other intercellular junctions, while important for different functions, do not serve this specific purpose. For instance, gap junctions facilitate communication between cells by allowing the transfer of ions and small molecules but do not provide the same level of mechanical stability. Tight junctions are primarily involved in regulating the passage of substances between cells and in creating barriers to permeability, but they do not connect cells in the same way desmosomes do. Adherens junctions also play a role in maintaining tissue integrity but are less strong than desmosomes in terms of resisting mechanical forces. Thus, desmosomes are the primary connections responsible for keeping keratinocytes tightly interconnected on the skin's surface.