Corpus: Efferent ducts

The efferent ducts connect the testes (testis) with the head of the epididymis (epididymis). They are part of the branched duct system of the male reproductive organs, the so-called seminal ducts.

The efferent ducts are a system of about 10-20 individual ducts that connect the rete testis of the testis with the epididymal duct of the epididymis. They are tortuous and are about 10-12 cm long in adults.

The epithelium of the efferent ductules consists of one to two cell layers that alternate between high prismatic and low prismatic cells. This causes the epithelium to appear irregular under the light microscope. Some of these cells carry kinocilia, which actively contribute to the movement of sperm through the ducts. Other cells are equipped with microvilli, which have a resorptive function and absorb substances from the sperm fluid. This process leads to a reduction in volume and an increase in sperm concentration.

The subepithelial tissue contains myofibroblasts.

The efferent ducts transport the immature sperm to the epididymis for subsequent maturation. They prepare the sperm for transport through the following parts of the reproductive tract and optimise the sperm concentration in the ejaculate. This increases the chances of fertilisation.