part of ends during starts during death epithelial cell cell part apical junction complex A functional unit located near the cell apex at the points of contact between epithelial cells, which in vertebrates is composed of the tight junction, the zonula adherens, and desmosomes. Functions in the regulation of cell polarity, tissue integrity and intercellular adhesion and permeability. XAO:0005254 xenopus_anatomy GO:0043296 NF stage 10