Intercellular junctions connect cells and control the passage of materials between them. There are three main types of junctions: tight junctions form a virtually impermeable barrier between cells; anchoring junctions such as desmosomes physically attach adjacent cells; and gap junctions allow cells to directly exchange ions and small molecules through cytoplasmic bridges.

1. INTERCELLULAR
JUNCTIONS
BY: MADIHA SHAMS
B D S ( 1 ST Y E A R )
GROUP: A
DOW UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

2. JUNCTIONS BETWEEN CELLS
 When Cells come into contact with
each other, various junctional
arrangements may form. They are
classified as follow:

4. TIGHT (Occluding) JUNCTIONS
•Tight junctions, or
Zonula occludens are
the closely associated
areas of two cells
whose membranes
join together forming
a virtually impermeable barrier to fluid. It is a type of
junctional complex present only in vertebrates.

5. • Tight junctions,
combine well with
membranes of
adjacent cells by an
Interlocking System
of occluding ridges
much like the teeth of
a zipper.

8. JUNCTION COMPLEX
Tight Junction + Adhesive Junction

9. ANCHORING (Adhering) JUNCTIONS

10. ZONULA ADHERENS
 Zone of belt-desmosome or Adherens Junction

12. MACULA ADHERENSDESMOSOMES

14. In Cardiac Muscle
In Epithelial
Tissue

15. Hemidesmosomes

16. (Half-Desmosome) : They connect intermediate
Filament to Basal and separate plasma membrane
of cell from Basal Lamina.

17. FOCAL ADHESION
• Adherens junctions called
FOCAL ADHESION can
join a cell to the ECM,
primarily through fibronectin
receptors.

18. GAP (Communicating) JUNCTIONS
 Cytoplasmic bridge
between cells for
passing chemical &
electrical signals.
 They are frequently
found in epithelial
Cells.
 Mostly in heart &
nerves, but can be found in liver, pancreas, ovary.