Which of the following is NOT a primary function of epithelial tissue?

Epithelial tissue serves several primary functions within the body, including protection, absorption, and secretion. The primary function that is not associated with epithelial tissue is contraction.

Epithelial tissue is characterized by its closely packed cells that form protective barriers and are involved in various roles such as absorption (as seen in the intestine) and secretion (as seen in glands). While endocrine glands, which are derived from epithelial tissue, perform hormone secretion, the actual contraction of tissues is a function associated with muscle tissue rather than epithelial tissue. Muscle fibers are specialized for contraction, which is essential for movement and various bodily functions, whereas epithelial cells do not have this capability. Thus, identifying contraction as not a primary function of epithelial tissue is grounded in the fundamental characteristics that define the tissues and their respective roles in the body.