Introduction : Body of an animal is formed of several kinds of cells.

There are about 200

different types of specialized cells in the human body. The cell of one or more kinds are
arranged together in a characteristic manner and cooperate to perform a specific role. Such a
group of cells is called a tissue. The cell of a tissue may secrete between them a nonliving
intercellular material. Thus, a tissue may be defined as a group of one or more types of cells
having a similar origin and specialized for a specific function or functions along with the
intercellular material.
Branch of biology dealing with the study of tissue is called histology. The term tissue was
introduced by Bichat and also known as Father of histology. Mayer coined the term histology
and the founder of histology is Marcello Malpighi. Histological study of an organ called
Microscopic Anatomy. Marcello Malpighi is the father of microscopic anatomy. Hertwig
introduced the term mesenchyme for mesodermal tissue. The formation of tissues from
germinal layer is called as histogenesis. The tissue classified into four main groups on the basis
their location and functions, are Epithelial tissue, Connective tissue, Muscular tissue and
Nervous tissue.
1.1 Epithelial Tissue.
An epithelium is a tissue composed of one or more layers of cells that cover the body surface and
lines its various cavities. It serves for protection, secretion and excretion. The word epithelium was
introduced by Ruysch. It was applied originally to thin skin covering the nipple (G. epi = upon, thele =
nipple). They are located on the outer surfaces of organs, including the skin. They form the linings of
tracts, cavities and vessels. Epithelial tissue evolved first in animal kingdom. It originate from all the
three primary germ layers. e.g. Epidermis arises from ectoderm, Coelomic epithelium from the
mesoderm and epithelial lining of alimentary canal from the endoderm.
(i) Structure : Cells are arranged in one or more layers, cells are compactly arranged and there
is no inter cellular matrix between them. Neighbouring cells are held together by intercellular
junctional complexes like desmosomes, tight junctions, interdigitations etc. the cells of lowermost
layers always rest on a non living basement membrane or basal lamina. Basement membrane is made
up of no cell product of epithelial tissue. It is formed of mucopolysacharides, glycoprotein and
collagen or reticular fibres. The epithelial cells are held together by small amounts of cementing
substances is mainly composed of glycoprotein secreted by the cell themselves. Blood vessels are
absent in the epithelial tissues. However, nerve endings may penetrate the epithelium. The free
surface of cells may be smooth or may have fine hair like cilia, sterocilia and microvilli. Epithelium is
subjected to continuos wear and tear and injury. Hence it posses very high capacity of renewal
(mitotic cell division). The following types of modifications and junctions are found in the plasma
membrane of adjacent epithelial cells to keep the cells together.