Primary spermatocytes have large nuclei with the condensed chromosomes in prophase, near the base of the wall. The small, round nuclei toward the lumen belong to early spermatids. Look again at the two Sertoli cells farthest to the left and notice how their cytoplasm meets near the base to form the basal and adluminal compartments on either side of the junction. Slide 53 Efferent ducts with their irregular epithelial border. These are the only portions of the male reproductive tract with motile cilia on the lining epithelium.
Cilia help to move the sperm along toward the epididymis.
Slide 54 Detail of efferent duct wall, a low pseudostratified columnar epithelium with some surrounding smooth muscle. The epithelium is ciliated. Sperm lie in the lumen. Slide 55 Epididymis with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia. Each cross-cut of tubule shows some surrounding smooth muscle cells.