Final answer:
Intermediate filaments reinforce desmosomes in epithelial cells by integrating with the cellular structure to form robust links between cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of cytoskeletal component that would help reinforce the effectiveness of desmosomes in epithelial cells are the intermediate filaments. These filaments, typically made up of keratin in epithelial cells, integrate with the cellular structure at desmosomes. Desmosomes are specialized structures that function like 'spot welds' between adjacent epithelial cells, with cadherins in the plasma membrane attaching to these intermediate filaments to establish a robust link.