What are the connectors of upper epidermal tissue known as?

The connectors of upper epidermal tissue, particularly in relation to the structures that help maintain stability and integrity between cells, are known as desmosomes. Desmosomes serve as specialized junctions that connect adjacent epithelial cells, providing mechanical strength to the tissue. They are essential for the structural integrity of the epidermis, as they resist shearing forces and prevent cells from being pulled apart.

Desmosomes are composed of specific proteins that anchor cytoskeletal elements (intermediate filaments) to the cell membrane, creating a resilient network that holds cells together in the upper layer of the skin. This is especially important in areas subject to friction and stretch.

In contrast, hemidesmosomes are involved in anchoring cells to the basement membrane rather than connecting adjacent cells. Cadherins are a type of protein that plays a role in cell adhesion, particularly in adherens junctions, but they are not the primary connectors in the upper epidermis. Adherens junctions are critical for maintaining tissue architecture, but they do not provide the same kind of strong intercellular adhesion as desmosomes do, especially in the epidermis. Thus, desmosomes are the correct answer when identifying the specific connectors of upper epidermal tissue.