Fallopian tube 11468 218234681 2008-06-09T19:34:29Z 82.170.179.117 {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = Fallopian tube | Latin = tuba uterina | GraySubject = 267 | GrayPage = 1257 | Image = Scheme_female_reproductive_system-en.svg | Caption = Schematic frontal view of female anatomy | Image2 = Gray589.png | Caption2 = Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. (Fallopian tubes visible at top right and top left.) | System = | Precursor = [[Müllerian duct]] | Artery = [[tubal branches of ovarian artery]], [[tubal branch of uterine artery]] | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = [[lumbar lymph nodes]] | MeshName = Fallopian+Tubes | MeshNumber = A05.360.319.114.373 | DorlandsPre = t_21 | DorlandsSuf = 12827008 | }} The '''Fallopian tubes''', also known as '''oviducts''', '''uterine tubes''', and '''salpinges''' (''singular'' '''salpinx''') are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the [[ovaries]] of female [[mammal]]s into the [[uterus]]. == Anatomy == There are two Fallopian tubes, attached to either side of the [[cornual]] end of the uterus at the [[axilla of Welch]]. Each terminates at or near one ovary forming a structure called the [[Fimbria (female reproductive system)|fimbria]]. The Fallopian tubes are not directly attached to the ovaries, but open into the [[peritoneum|peritoneal cavity]] (essentially the inside of the abdomen); they thus form a direct communication between the peritoneal cavity and the outside via the vagina. In [[human]]s, the Fallopian tubes are about 7&ndash;14 cm long. If a Fallopian Tube is missing from the pair, then the other fallopian tube that is functional could still be a way of carrying an egg down to the uterus. === Regions === There are four regions of the fallopian tube from the ovary to the uterus:<ref>{{SUNYAnatomyLabs|43|04|01|01}} - "The Female Pelvis: The Oviduct"</ref> * [[Infundibulum of uterine tube|Infundibulum]] - contains [[Fimbria (female reproductive system)|fimbria]] * [[Ampulla of uterine tube|Ampulla]] - usual site of fertilization * [[Isthmus of uterine tube|Isthmus]] * Intramural oviduct - inside wall of uterus === Histology === [[Image:Fallopian tube (lamina propoia).JPG|thumb||right|150px|Layers of the wall of the fallopian tube.]] There are three layers of the fallopian tube:<ref>{{USCHistology|rep/c_27}}</ref> * [[Mucosa]] - the distinctive folds of the mucosa are the most unusual feature. The folds contain [[ciliated]] cells and "peg cells".<ref>{{USCHistology|rep/c_31}}</ref><ref>[http://www3.umdnj.edu/histsweb/lab17/lab17oviduct.html Oviduct<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The region of the fallopian tube can be approximated by looking at the mucosa, because the folds are most elaborate at the ampulla and almost nonexistent at the intramural portion. * [[Muscularis externa]] * [[Serosa]] === Motility === The Fallopian tubes are mobile, and have been observed on [[time-lapse]] videography moving about the pelvis. Although anatomical illustrations have them proceeding from the [[uterine horns]] to the ovary, this is not the case for most of the [[menstrual cycle]], and a tube may cross to the other side or lie on top of the uterus. == Function in fertilization == When an [[ovum]] is developing in an ovary, it is encapsulated in a sac known as an [[ovarian follicle]]. On maturity of the ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the [[uterus]], pushed along by movements of [[cilia]] on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is [[fertilisation|fertilized]] while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the [[endometrium]] when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of [[pregnancy]]. Occasionally the embryo implants into the Fallopian tube instead of the [[uterus]], creating an [[ectopic pregnancy]], commonly known as a "tubal pregnancy". == Embryology and homology == The Fallopian tubes are ''not'' [[homology (biology)|homologous]] to the [[vas deferens]] or any other structure in males. [[Embryo]]s have ''two'' pairs of ducts to let [[gamete]]s out of the body; one pair (the [[Müllerian duct]]s) develops in females into the Fallopian tubes, uterus and [[vagina]], while the other pair (the [[Wolffian duct]]s) develops in males into the [[epididymis]] and vas deferens. Normally, only one of the pairs of tubes will develop while the other regresses and disappears ''in the utero''. == Pathology == [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]] can strike the fallopian tubes. This might cause a [[Fallopian tube obstruction]]. Furthermore cancer can arise from the [[epithelial]] lining of the Fallopian tube. This cancer is sometimes misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer <ref> http://www.iarc.fr/WHO-BlueBooks/</ref>. However, treatment of both ovarian and Fallopian tube cancer is similar. === Surgery === The surgical removal of a Fallopian tube is called a [[salpingectomy]]. To remove both sides is a bilateral salpingectomy. An operation that combines the removal of a Fallopian tube with removal of at least one ovary is a [[salpingo-oophorectomy]]. An operation to restore a fallopian tube obstruction is called a [[tuboplasty]]. == Etymology and nomenclature == They are named after their discoverer, the [[16th century]] [[Italy|Italian]] anatomist, [[Gabriele Falloppio]]. Though the name 'Fallopian tube' is eponymous, some texts spell it with a lower case 'f' from the assumption that the adjective 'fallopian' has been absorbed into modern English as the de facto name for the structure. The [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] word [[salpinx]] (σαλπιγξ) means "[[trumpet]]". == Additional images == <gallery> Image:Gray34.png|Sectional plan of the gravid uterus in the third and fourth month. Image:Gray1108.png|Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. Image:Gray1161.png|Uterus and right broad ligament,, seen from behind. Image:Gray1165.png|pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. Image:Gray1167.svg|Posterior half of uterus and upper part of vagina. Image:Gray1170.png|The arteries of the internal organs of generation of the female, seen from behind. Image:Illu cervix.jpg|Uterus and uterine tubes. Image:Female anatomy.png|Female internal reproductive anatomy. Image:Oviduct-histo.jpg|Histology </gallery> Image:Gray1165.png|pelvis and its contents, seen from side view == See also == * [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]] * [[Menstrual cycle]] == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{eMedicineDictionary|uterine+tube}} * {{BUHistology|18501loa}} {{Female reproductive system}} [[Category:Female reproductive system]] [[Category:Gynecology]] [[Category:Pelvis]] [[ar:قناة فالوب]] [[bs:Jajovodi]] [[br:Trompilhoù Fallopia]] [[bg:Маточна тръба]] [[ca:Trompa de Fal·lopi]] [[cs:Vejcovod]] [[cy:Tiwbiau Ffalopaidd]] [[da:Æggeleder]] [[de:Eileiter]] [[dv:ބިސް ދަތުރުކުރާ ހޮޅި]] [[es:Trompa de Falopio]] [[eo:Salpingo]] [[fr:Trompes de Fallope]] [[hr:Jajovod]] [[id:Tuba fallopi]] [[it:Tuba di Falloppio]] [[he:חצוצרה (איבר)]] [[lt:Kiaušintakis]] [[mk:Јајцевод]] [[nl:Eileider]] [[ja:輸卵管]] [[no:Eggleder]] [[pl:Jajowód]] [[pt:Trompas de Falópio]] [[ru:Фаллопиевы трубы]] [[simple:Fallopian tube]] [[sk:Vajíčkovod]] [[sl:Jajcevod]] [[sr:Јајоводи]] [[sh:Jajovodi]] [[fi:Munanjohdin]] [[sv:Äggledare]] [[ta:பாலோப்பியன் குழாய்]] [[te:ఫెలోపియన్ నాళాలు]] [[zh:输卵管]]