What Are Considered Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are cell junctions that are anchored to one another and attached to components of the extracellular matrix. They are important in keeping the cells together and structural cohesion of tissues. They are commonly found in tissues that are prone to constant mechanical stress, e.g. skin and heart.

What are types of anchoring Junction?

There are four main types of anchoring junctions- adherens junctions, desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and cell-matrix adhesion complexes.

Are Desmosomes the same as anchoring junctions?

Desmosomes are specialized anchoring junctions that serve as tethers for cytoplasmic intermediate filaments.