Descenders are the parts of lowercase letters that extend below the baseline, which is the line on which most letters sit. Common examples of letters with descenders include g, j, p, and y. These features help distinguish between different letters and contribute to the overall readability of text. In typography, descenders play a crucial role in the design of fonts. They can affect the visual balance and style of a typeface. Designers often consider the length and shape of descenders to ensure that the text is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to read in various contexts.