Which type of tissue is primarily involved in the sensory reception of the skin?

Nervous tissue is primarily responsible for sensory reception in the skin, making this the correct answer. The skin contains specialized nerve endings that detect various stimuli, such as touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. These receptors relay sensory information to the nervous system, where it is processed and interpreted.

In contrast, while epithelial tissue exists in the skin and plays a critical role in protection and sensation, it does not directly transmit sensory signals. Muscle tissue is primarily involved in movement and contraction, and connective tissue provides structural support and connections between other tissues but is not involved in the sensory processes of the skin. This highlights the specialized role of nervous tissue in sensory function within the integumentary system.