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Fallopian tubes
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The uterine tubes (a.k.a. fallopian tubes) are important structures in the female reproductive tract, which connect the peritoneal cavity with the uterine cavity. They provide a site for fertilisation and are involved in the transport of the ovum from the ovaries to the body of the uterus. The uterine tubes are also referred to as the oviducts.
This article will talk about the anatomy, histology, embryology and function of the uterine tubes followed by any relevant clinical pathology.
| Location | Within the mesosalpinx, projecting from the superior body of the uterus |
| Parts | Intramural, isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum (containing fimbriae) |
| Arterial supply | Uterine and ovarian arteries |
| Venous drainage | Uterine and pampiniform plexuses |
| Innervation | Spinal segments T10-L2, pelvic splanchnic nerves, vagus nerve |
| Function | Transport the ovum from the ovary to uterus Location for fertilization |
Anatomy
Location and trajectory
The two uterine tubes are about 10 cm long and project from the superior body of the uterus. They are located within the mesosalpinx, a component of the broad ligament of the uterus, and open medially at the superior angle of the uterus. The uterine tubes extend in a superolateral direction, pass superior and anterior to the ovaries, and open into the peritoneal cavity lateral to them.
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Parts
The uterine tubes consist of four main parts, from medial to lateral:
- Intramural (interstitial) part, which is located within the myometrium of the uterus, is 1 cm long and 0.7 mm wide.
- The isthmus, which is a lateral continuation of the intramural part. It is a rounded, muscular part of the uterine tube. It is 3 cm long and between 1 and 5 mm wide.
- The ampulla, which is longest part of the tube. It has a diameter of 1 cm at its widest point and is 5 cm long. It has a thin wall, a folded luminal surface and fertilisation usually takes place within its lumen.
- The infundibulum, which is the distal end of the tube. It is funnel shaped and opens into the peritoneal cavity at the abdominal ostium. Finger like mucosal projections are attached to the distal end of the infundibulum and are referred to as fimbriae. These fimbriae are 1 mm wide and project over the medial surface of the ovaries. The longest of the fimbriae, the ovarian fimbria, attaches to the superior aspect of each ovary.
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Arterial supply
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The arterial supply of the uterine tubes involves both the uterine and ovarian arteries. The uterine artery supplies the medial two-thirds of the tube, whilst the lateral third is supplied by the ovarian artery.
Venous drainage
The uterine plexus drains the medial two-thirds of the uterine tubes into the internal iliac vein whereas the pampiniform plexus drains the lateral third. The pampiniform plexus drains into the ovarian veins, which in turn drain into the renal vein on the left and the inferior vena cava on the right.
Lymphatic drainage
Lymph is also drained by both ovarian and uterine vessels, which drain into the paraaortic and internal iliac lymph nodes, respectively.
Innervation
The uterine tubes are innervated by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nerves arise from the spinal segments T10-L2. The parasympathetic nerves that supply the medial half of the tube are derived from the pelvic splanchnic nerves, whilst the fibres supplying the lateral half of the tube are derived from the vagus nerve.
Histology
The walls of the uterine tubes consist of three main layers:
- mucosa
- muscularis
- serosa
The mucosa is comprised of longitudinal folds, more pronounced at the infundibulum, and is lined by a single layer of tall, columnar epithelium. There are three types of columnar cells within the epithelium: ciliated, non-ciliated secretory and intercalated cells. The ciliated cells are more predominant in the distal portion of the tubes and develop more cilia in the first half of the menstrual cycle. The wave like movement of the cilia aids in the movement of the ovum throughout the uterine tubes. The longer non-ciliated secretory cells are more active during ovulation and unlike the ciliated cells, are more predominant in the proximal portion of the tubes. These cells secrete a fluid that is propelled with the ovum towards the uterus, by the cilia. The secretion provides a nutrient for the fertilised ovum and also aids in capacitation, a maturation step, of the spermatozoa. Post menopause, the epithelium decreases in height due to a reduction in the number of ciliated cells.
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The muscularis is arranged into two layers: an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. Innervation of these layers results in peristaltic contractions of the uterine tubes, which assist in propulsion of the fertilised ovum.
Embryology
The uterine tubes develop from the paramesonephric or Müllerian ducts. These ducts are derived from the mesoderm, the middle layer of one of the three primary germ layers in the embryo. The other two layers are the ectoderm and the endoderm. The tubes are derived from the superior vertical and middle horizontal aspects of the duct and undergo elongation and coiling to form the fully developed uterine tubes.
Function
The uterine tubes are involved in the transport of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus. This is aided by the peristaltic contractions of the muscular layers of the tubes and by the wave-like movement of the ciliated cells. During ovulation, the fimbriae swell which aids the movement of the released oocyte from the ovary to the uterine tubes. The spermatozoa travel within the tubes towards the ovum and fertilisation usually occurs within the ampulla. Once fertilisation takes place, the tubes also provide nourishment for the fertilised ovum.
For more details about the anatomy of the uterine tubes, take a look below:
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Clinical notes
Salpingitis
Salpingitis or inflammation of the uterine tubes is the most common pathology affecting the tubes and is usually part of a pelvic inflammatory disease affecting the uterus, the tubes and the ovaries. It usually results from a bacterial infection, leading to scarring of the tubes and subsequent tubal ectopic pregnancy. Obstruction of the v tubes can be determined by hysterosalpingography or a hysteroscopy. A hysterosalpingography involves injecting a contrast material into the uterus and the uterine tubes, whilst an X-ray beam is projected over these structures. Examination of the uterine tubes with a hysteroscope, an endoscopic instrument, is referred to as a hysteroscopy.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, is sometimes believed to be due to a backward flow of tissue shedded during menses through the uterine tubes into the pelvis.
Ligation
Ligation, or tying, of the uterine tubes is an effective surgical method of birth control. This prevents fertilisation of the oocyte, which then degenerate and become absorbed. There are two main types of ligation: abdominal tubal ligation and laparoscopic tubal ligation. Abdominal tubal ligation involves a suprapubic incision at the pubic hairline. Laparoscopic tubal ligation, on the other hand, involves insertion of a laparoscope through a small incision near the umbilicus.
Ectopic tubal pregnancy
When a fertilised ovum implants in the mucosa of the uterine tubes this is referred to as an ectopic tubal pregnancy. This may occur due to obstruction of the uterine tubes by pus, referred to as pyosalpinx. If not detected early, ectopic tubal pregnancy usually results in a tubal abortion, a rupture of the uterine tube, during the first 8 weeks of gestation. This can cause haemorrhage into the peritoneal cavity, which can spread into the rectouterine pouch or into the uterovesical pouch. This can lead to inflammation of the parietal peritoneum, with the resulting pain referred to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. A tubal abortion can sometimes be misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis, as it causes inflammation of the peritoneum in the same area. Haemorrhage from a tubal abortion can also irritate the subdiaphragmatic peritoneum, which can cause referred pain to the shoulder region via the phrenic nerve.
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