Which type of cells have cilia that beat to help move the egg along the oviduct?

Ciliated epithelium is the correct type of cells responsible for moving the egg along the oviduct. These cells have hair-like structures called cilia on their surface, which beat in a coordinated manner to create a current that helps propel the egg from the ovary through the oviduct towards the uterus. This mechanism is crucial for successful fertilization, as it aids in the transport of the egg, allowing it to meet sperm for potential fertilization.

Smooth muscle, while important in the reproductive system for contractions involved in moving substances, does not have cilia and is not responsible for the specific movement of the egg. Squamous epithelium consists of flat cells that primarily serve protective roles and are not specialized for movement. Columnar epithelium, although it can have cilia, is more commonly involved in secretion and absorption rather than specifically aiding in the transportation of the egg in the oviduct as effectively as ciliated epithelium does. Thus, ciliated epithelium is uniquely adapted for this vital function in human reproduction.