Abstract
Epithelial tissues are cellular sheets, covering the surfaces and lining the tracts or cavities of the body. The functions of the epithelial tissues are associated with protection, secretion, and absorption. There are several common features.
-
1.
The epithelial cells fit together tightly, with little intercellular substance.
-
2.
They have a basement membrane, which separates the epithelial cells and the underlying connective tissue.
-
3.
They have a free, or apical, surface and a basal surface. The free surface is adjacent to the lumen; the basal surface rests on the basement membrane.
-
4.
They lack a vascular supply, excepting the stria vascularis in the cochlear duct.
-
5.
They are rich in nerve endings
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zhang, Sx. (1999). Epithelial Tissue. In: An Atlas of Histology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21760-4_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21760-4_1
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-94954-3
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-21760-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive