Dead skin cells are shed in thin sheets because they are held together by "spots" of proteoglycan reinforced by intermediate filaments. Such strong intercellular connections are called:
Desmosomes are important adhesive intracellular junctions that link the plasma membrane to the cytoskeleton's intermediate filaments. They are often distributed in areas which are subjected to mechanical stress such as the tissues of the gut and bladder, the myocardium and epithelia. Desmosomes are known for their adhesive properties.
Functions are;
Resisting mechanical stress
Providing stability and integrity to the tissue structure by providing sites of attachment for cytoskeleton intermediate filaments
Mediating cell signalling pathways
Roles in tissue morphogenesis, development and differentiation.
