MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedonyuk 2010
BIOLOGY
SECTION 1. BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN VITAL ACTIVITY
1.2. CELL. TISSUES. CONCEPT OF AN ORGAN, ORGAN SYSTEM, ORGANISM
EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Epithelial Tissue is located on surfaces, at the interface with the external environment. It covers the body (the epidermis of the Skin), lines the mucous membranes of Internal Organs, and also forms the majority of glands.
Epithelial tissue is divided into two major groups: surface (covering) epithelium and Glandular Epithelium.
Surface epithelium occupies a barrier position in the body and performs the following Functions: delimiting (at the border between the external environment and underlying Tissues), protective (against mechanical, physical, chemical, and infectious factors), transport (METABOLISM, absorption, and excretion of substances), and receptor (perception of stimuli and signals). These functions are characteristic of the epithelium of the skin, Stomach, Lungs, Kidneys, etc.
Glandular epithelium performs a secretory function; its epithelial Cells synthesize and release secretory substances that participate in various physiological processes within the body.
Last update: 08/08/2026
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