Epithelial Tissue

The skin on my arm and hand are both considered epithelial tissue as they are located on the outter external part of my body.

The structure of epithelial tissue is formed by these epithelial cells being packed very tightly together so that there is very little intercellular space and only a small amount of intercellular substance. It covers the whole surface exterior of the body and some of the interior as well and when found on the interior it is known as endothelium. It is specially formed to create one or more layers that can cover about all of the body's internal and external body surface. This tissue is supported by basement membrane, an important structure which links it to other surfaces and provides structure. There are many categories that epithilial tissue can be broken into but the two main categories would be simple epithelium which is only one cell thick. Then there is stratified epithelium which is two or more layers thick forming a firm visible structure such as our skin. Epithelial tissue is very important as it provides a variety of different functions to our bodies such as protection, sensation, diffusion and a few other functions.

Sources:
Epithelial Tissue. uwc.ac.za. Retrieved September 1, 2011, from http://www.bcb.uwc.ac.za/sci_ed/grade10/mammal/epithelial.htm