Which tissue type lines organs and forms glands?

• A. Connective tissue
• B. Nervous tissue
• C. Epithelium
• D. Muscle tissue

Answer: (C)

Epithelial tissue is the one that lines organs and forms glands. It covers the surfaces of bodies and cavities, providing a lining for hollow organs, ducts, and body cavities, and it also composes the secretory units of glands. This tissue sits on a basement membrane and has tightly joined cells with polarity—an apical surface facing the lumen or exterior and a basal surface anchored to the membrane. Epithelial tissue can be simple (one cell layer) or stratified (multiple layers), and the cells come in squamous, cuboidal, or columnar shapes. Glands arise from epithelial tissue, with exocrine glands releasing secretions through ducts and endocrine glands releasing hormones into the bloodstream. In contrast, connective tissue, nervous tissue, and muscle tissue serve structural support, signaling, and contraction, respectively, rather than forming the lining and glandular structures.