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What is Epithelial Tissue?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 193,101
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Epithelial tissue is one of the four major tissue types in the body, acting as an interface between the body and the rest of the world. Your skin is composed of this tissue, and it also lines your body cavities and major organs. There are several different types of epithelial tissue, which form to fulfill specific needs and functions. This tissue, known collectively as the epithelium, can filter, absorb, and diffuse various substances, and it is also involved in sensory perception and bodily secretions.

The other main tissue types are muscle tissue, nervous tissue, and connective tissue. Epithelial tissue is distinguished by several features. The first is the fact that cells in this tissue are extremely tightly packed, with minimal intracellular spaces between them. It is also separated from the underlying tissue by the basement membrane, a layer of material that is partly formed by the epithelial tissue, and partly by the underlying tissue. The cells are also attached to one another, and they are polarized, with an “up” side and a “down” side which connects to the basement membrane or underlying epithelial cells.

Epithelial tissue can be divided into simple tissue, which consists of a single layer of cells, and stratified epithelium, which involves two or more layers of cells. Within these basic categories, the tissue can be further classified by the shape of the cells. Squamous epithelial tissue is composed of a series of flattened cells that look like cobblestones, while cuboidal epithelium has roughly cube-shaped cells, sort of like stacked sugar cubes. Columnar tissue has cells in the shapes of columns, and it may be topped with very fine hairs known as cilia for sensory perception in locations like the lining of the nose.

One of the primary functions of epithelial tissue is protection. The epithelium is like a flexible, adaptive armor plating for the body. New cells are constantly growing to replenish older ones, and in some cases, like the skin, a layer of keratinized cells acts as an additional layer of protection. As the body's first line of defense, the epithelium is also very sensitive to potential threats.

Inside the body, the epithelium is sometimes referred to as the endothelium. Epithelial cells all over the body are vulnerable to damage from a variety of sources, and they can potentially develop cancers and abnormalities, because they are designed to replicate quickly. If an error in duplication arises, it can spread rapidly to the neighboring cells, resulting in a tumor or cancer.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon299124 — On Oct 23, 2012

What are the five main characteristics of cancerous tissues?

By anon147528 — On Jan 29, 2011

Why do certain tissues have a single layer, while others are stratified?

By anon125236 — On Nov 08, 2010

what are resources that the bloodstream brings to the epithelial tissue for it to work properly?

By anon121644 — On Oct 25, 2010

The function of epithelial tissue is protection and secretion.

By anon118205 — On Oct 13, 2010

how is the structure of epithelial tissue related to its function? every time i search i only get answers on ciliated epithelial tissue.

By cmsmith10 — On Jul 11, 2010

Epithelial tissue is also very helpful in the field of forensic science. DNA can be pulled from the epithelial and is very useful in eliminating or finding suspects in certain crimes.

By frankjoseph — On Nov 05, 2009

Dust is mostly comprised of epithelials.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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