One surface of an epithelium faces the environment or a body fluid. The opposite surface is glued to an underlying tissue by ____.

A) microvilli
B) ducts
C) the basement membrane
D) keratinized cells
E) stratified epithelium

Basement Membrane

A thin, dense layer of extracellular matrix that underlies the epithelium and separates it from underlying tissue.

Epithelium

A layer of cells covering the body surfaces and lining internal organs and various glands, serving protective, sensory, and absorptive functions.