Simple columnar epithelial cells with cilia are numerous in the lining of the oviduct (slide 19), where they are interspersed with secretory cells.

• Compare the appearance of the cilia in this epithelium with the striated border (microvilli) of absorptive epithelium on the last slide (slide 4).
• Examine the ultrastructural views of the cilia and microvilli shown in cross section and in longitudinal section in Fig. 4-10. Compare cilia to the absorptive stereocilia at the apical ends of the columnar cells lining the epididymis (slides 39 and 40).
• The image to the right is of oviduct mucosa. Note the numerous cilia.

Answer this: How do cilia, sterocilia and microvilli differ structurally and functionally?

Learning about this is not just an academic exercise, rather it has real clinical significance.

• Kartagener’s disease is an inherited disorder involving mutations in the gene for dynein or one of the many other proteins in cilia. All the cilia in such individuals are immotile, leading to infertility and chronic respiratory disorders.

How about pseudostratified and stratified epithelium?