Epithelial Tissue

The cells forming epithelial tissue

• (i) are closely packed with no intercellular spaces in between.
• (ii) arise from a non-cellular basement membrane.
• (iii) are not supplied with blood vessels.

Function: Epithelial tissues line the surfaces, help in absorption, secretion, and also bear protoplasmic projections such as the cilia.

If the epithelial cells are in a single layer, they form simple eptihelium. If the epithelial cells are arranged in many layers, they form compound epithelium or stratified epithelium (many layers). Stratified epithelium is present in the body, where there is lot of wear and tear. For example the skin and inner lining of cheeks.