(from Greek desmos, “ligament,” “band” and soma, “body”), surface structures of animal cells, which make it possible for them to be connected to one another. Previously desmosomes were thought to be intercellular bridges. However, electron-microscope research has shown that each desmosome consists of two “halves” (that belong to neighboring cells), divided by a slit-like space (100-200 angstroms). The outer part of the desmosome, which is turned toward the slit-like space, apparently consists of a thickening of the plasma membrane. Next to it lies a wider part formed by a network of fibrillae. Despite the morphological isolation of the desmosome “halves,” cells where they are located are more firmly connected to one another.