Epiteelisistä

Epiteelisistä is a Finnish term that translates to "epithelial" in English. It refers to epithelial tissue, which is one of the four basic types of animal tissue. Epithelial tissues form coverings and linings of organs and body cavities, as well as glandular tissue. They are characterized by cells that are tightly packed together, forming a continuous sheet.

Epithelial tissues have several key functions, including protection, secretion, absorption, excretion, filtration, diffusion, and sensory reception. Their specific role depends on the type and location of the epithelium within the body. For instance, the epidermis of the skin is a protective epithelial layer, while the lining of the small intestine is an epithelial tissue specialized for absorption.

Epithelia are classified based on the number of cell layers and the shape of the cells. Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells, while stratified epithelium has multiple layers. Cell shapes are described as squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), or columnar (taller than they are wide). Combinations of these classifications, such as simple squamous or stratified cuboidal epithelium, describe the specific types found throughout the body. Glandular epithelia are specialized for producing and releasing substances like hormones, mucus, or enzymes.