Inclusive Anatomy
Structure:
The uterine tubes are a set of paired tubes extending from the uterus to the ovaries in the phenotypic female assigned at birth pelvis.[1] These tubes are components of the reproductive system. Each tube is a muscular hollow structure, typically measuring between 10 to 14 cm in length, with an external diameter of approximately 1 cm. Each tube possesses two openings: a proximal opening, which connects to the uterus, and a distal opening, which opens into the peritoneal cavity adjacent to the ovary.[1]
Each tube consists of four parts:
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The intramural part is situated in the muscular wall of the uterus. This is the narrowest part of the tube that crosses the uterus wall to connect with the isthmus.[2]
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The isthmus links the tube to the uterus and connects to the ampulla.[2]
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The ampulla is the widest part of the tube and is the primary site for fertilization.[2]
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The infundibulum opens into the abdomen at the distal tubal opening, positioned above the ovary. The opening is surrounded by fimbriae, aiding in the collection of the oocyte after ovulation. The fimbriae are a fringe of densely ciliated tissue projections around the distal tubal opening, oriented towards the ovary.[2]
Popular
Recipes
The uterine tube and uterus are connected to the pelvic wall by the broad ligament of the uterus. The broad ligament is a sheet-like structure formed by the peritoneum draping over the uterus and uterine tubes. The two layers of the broad ligament are continuous with each other, lateral to the uterus and interior to the uterine tube. Laterally the broad ligament stretches to the pelvic lateral walls and extends superiorly over the suspensory ligament of the ovary. The broad ligament can be subdivided into three mesenteries: the uterine tube lies anterosuperiorly in the mesosalpinx, the ovary extends posteriorly in the mesovarium, and the largest portion of the broad ligament inferior to the mesosalpinx and mesovarium, is the mesometrium and serves as a mesentery for the uterus.[1]
Function:
In days 10 to 18 of a 28-day cycle, an oocyte is captured by the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube and travels to the ampulla. In Ampulla the egg can become fertilized with sperm.[3] The uterine tube transfers the zygote from the ovary to the uterus with the aid of the hairlike cilia and the activity of the muscle of the fallopian tube.[3] The release of an oocyte does not follow a specific pattern between the two ovaries; it appears to occur randomly. Roughly one-third of infertility cases are attributed to issues related to the uterine tubes, such as inflammation, tubal obstructions, and ectopic pregnancies.[3]
References:
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Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 6. ed., internat. ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.
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Standring S, Gray H, eds. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 40. ed., reprinted. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009.
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Briceag I, Costache A, Purcarea V. Fallopian tubes – literature review of anatomy and etiology in female infertility. J Med Life. 2015;8(2):129-131.
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