Which of the following tissues does NOT have epithelial tissue?

The synovial membrane is indeed composed of connective tissue rather than epithelial tissue. It is a specialized tissue that lines the cavities of synovial joints, producing synovial fluid to lubricate the joint. The structure of the synovial membrane does contain layers of cells, but these are derived from connective tissue and are not classified as true epithelial cells.

On the other hand, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue may contain epithelial components in certain contexts. For example, connective tissues can have epithelial layer interactions, such as those seen in blood vessels where an endothelium (which is a special type of epithelial tissue) lines the interior. Muscle tissue, particularly smooth muscle, is often associated with epithelial linings in organs, while nervous tissue can have epithelial derivatives in certain brain regions.

Thus, the synovial membrane distinctly stands out as it lacks true epithelial tissue, making this the correct answer.