cover body surfaces and line body cavities

-form most glands

-retain mitotic ability (reproduce)

surface of epithelial cell that is exposed to the body exterior or to the cavity of an internal organ

-"free surface"

-has microvilli

-can also have cilia (hair)

microvilli

function?

projections from the plasma membrane to help increase surface area in epithelial tissue

-located on apical surface

surface of epithelial tissue in contact with the structure that the epithelial tissue is covering or lining

-within basal surface is basement membrane

basement membrane

functions?

extracellular material secreted by epithelial cells

-on basal surface

-attach the epithelial cells to underlying tissue

-support and guide cell migration during tissue repair

-protection (skin)

-secretion (sweat glands)

-absorption (intestinal mucosa)