Page 808 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

12) and form a portion of the head of the epididymis.

The lumen of the ductuli efferentes (1) exhibits an irregular contour because

the epithelium consists of alternating groups of columnar ciliated and cuboidal
nonciliated cells with microvilli. Located inferior to the basement membrane is
a layer of connective tissue (2) with a smooth muscle layer (5, 11). As the
ductuli efferentes (1) terminate in the ductus epididymis, the lumina are lined

with the pseudostratified columnar epithelium (6, 8).

The ductus epididymis (3, 4) illustrated in both cross (3) and longitudinal
sections (4) is a long, convoluted tubule surrounded by connective tissue (2) and
a thin smooth muscle layer (5, 11). Some parts of the ductus contain mature

sperm (7).

The pseudostratified columnar epithelium (6, 8) consists of columnar
principal cells (9) with long, modified nonmotile microvilli called stereocilia
(8) and small basal cells (10).

FIGURE 20.11 ■ Ductuli efferentes and tubules of the ductus epididymis. Stain:
hematoxylin and eosin. Left, low magnification; right, high magnification.

FIGURE 20.12 | Tubules of Ductus Epididymis

(Transverse Section)

This photomicrograph illustrates the tubules of the ductus epididymis, some of
which are filled with sperm (1). The tubules are lined with a pseudostratified

epithelium (2). The principal cells (2a) are tall columnar epithelium and are
lined with stereocilia (5). The basal cells (2b) are small, spherical, and situated
near the base of the epithelium. A thin layer of smooth muscle (3) surrounds
each tubule with adjacent cells and fibers of the connective tissue (4).

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