Four main types of animal tissue are epithelial, connective, muscular, and neural. Epithelial tissue provides covering and lining and has two types - simple and compound. Simple epithelium is a single cell layer lining cavities and tubes, while compound has multiple cell layers and protects the skin. Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed. It connects and supports other tissues. The main connective tissues are loose connective, dense connective, adipose, cartilage, bone, and blood. Muscle tissue contains long cells that contract and help with movement. The main types are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Nervous tissue contains neurons that receive and conduct messages in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.