Question

Name the tissue that lines the inner lining of the mouth.

Answer 1

Hint: It is formed by a single layer of flat cells with irregular boundaries. It also forms the lining of the skin.

Complete Answer:
- Tissues are formed by groups of cells that perform a specific function. There are different types of tissues in the body that perform different functions. The tissues in the body are divided into four types- epithelial, connective, muscular and neural.

- The epithelial tissues are the tissues forming the lining of all surfaces, organs and cavities of the body. Cells of the epithelial tissue are packed tightly and form a continual sheet. They have just a small amount of cementing material and almost no intercellular spaces.

- The epithelial tissues are of two types- simple epithelium and compound epithelium.
(I) Simple epithelium is made up of a single layer of cells which serves as a covering for ducts, cavities and tubes throughout the body.
(II) The compound epithelium consists of two or three layers of cells and has a defensive role. Regardless of the form, all epithelium is typically divided from the underlying tissue by an extracellular fibrous membrane called basement membrane.

- The simple epithelium is further classified into three forms depending on the structural modification of the cells: (i) Squamous, (ii) Cuboidal, (iii) Columnar

- Simple epithelial squamous cells are extremely thin, flat, and form a delicate lining. The lining of the mouth is covered with squamous epithelium.

Fig: Squamous epithelium made of flat cells

Thus, the tissue that lines the inner lining of the mouth is the squamous epithelium.

Note: Various epithelia display different structures which correspond with their specific functions. Specialized junctions provide structural and functional links between its individual cells in almost all animal tissues.