In this note, we will consider the anatomy and functions of the uterine tubes. These are organs of the female reproductive system.

The uterine (fallopian) tube (tuba uterina) is an organ that provides the passage of an oocyte from the peritoneal cavity into the uterine cavity, as well as the passage of spermatozoa from the uterine cavity to the ampulla of the uterine tube or into the peritoneal cavity.

These processes constitute the fertilization process (that is, the uterine tubes provide fertilization).

Holotopy

The uterine tubes are located in the pelvic cavity, in the superior part of the broad ligament of the uterus. They are projected into the right and left inguinal regions of the anterior abdominal wall.

Skeletotopy

The uterine tubes are located between the first and second sacral vertebrae (S 1-S 2).

Syntopy

• The loops of the small intestine are located superiorly.

• The ovary and its rudimentary structures are located inferiorly.

• A filled urinary bladder is located anteriorly.

• The rectum is located posteriorly.

Macroscopic structure

The uterine tube consists of the following parts:

1. The uterine (intramural) part (pars uterina/intramuralis), which is enclosed in the thickness of the uterine wall.

2. The isthmus of the uterine tube (isthmus tubae uterinae), which is the narrowest, shortest, and thick-walled part located next to the uterus.

3. The ampulla of the uterine tube (ampulla tubae uterinae), which is the longest and most expanded part.

4. The infundibulum of the uterine tube (infundibulum tubae uterinae), which is the expanded part of the ampulla.

It ends with the fimbriae of the tube (fimbriae tubae).

One of such fimbriae is called the fimbria ovarica (fimbria ovarica), and it reaches the tubal end of the ovary.

Fimbriae perform a very important function. With their peristaltic movements, they capture the oocyte and direct it to the ampullary part of the tube. The oocyte, in turn, after leaving the follicle is located in the abdominal cavity. Oocytes do not have organoids for movement, so they cannot reach the uterine tube on their own.

Fertilization is carried out in the ampullary part of the uterine tube. After fertilization, cell division immediately begins and while the embryo divides, it moves through the uterine tube into the uterine cavity.

The uterine tube has two openings

1. The abdominal ostium of the uterine tube (ostium abdominale tubae uterinae), which is located in the area of the infundibulum. It communicates with the peritoneal cavity.

2. The uterine ostium of the uterine tube (ostium uterinum tubae uterinae), which opens into the uterine cavity.

The wall of the uterine tube consists of several layers.

The mucous membrane (tunica mucosa). It is represented by a simple columnar epithelium and forms longitudinal folds (plicae longitudinales). It contains ciliated and secretory cells. The cilia move rhythmically towards the uterus, which facilitates the movement of the oocyte through the tube to the uterus.

In some cases, a fertilized oocyte may be implanted into the mucous membrane of the uterine tube. In this case, an ectopic (or tubal) pregnancy develops.

The muscular coat (tunica muscularis) has a standard structure and only two layers.

• The circular layer (stratum circulare), which is an internal layer.
• The longitudinal layer (stratum longitudinale), which is an external layer.

The serosa (tunica serosa). In relation to the peritoneum, the uterine tubes lie intraperitoneally and have a mesentery (mesosalpinx).

Blood supply

• Tubal branches (rr. tubarii) from the uterine artery (a. uterina) and ovarian artery (a. ovarica), which, in turn, are branches of the internal iliac artery (a. iliaca interna)

Venous drainage

Tubal veins (vv. tubarii) into the uterine venous plexus (plexus venosus uterinus), which flows into the internal iliac vein (v. iliaca interna)

Lymph drainage

• Lumbar lymph nodes (nodi lymphatici lumbales)

Innervation

Along the course of the organ, nerve fibers form the so-called tubal plexus (plexus tubarius)

• Afferent innervation is provided by the sensitive fibers of the sacral spinal nerves.
• Parasympathetic innervation is provided by the fibers of the pelvic splanchnic nerve.
• Sympathetic innervation is provided by the inferior pancreatic plexus.

Dictionary

Anatomy of the uterine tubes

Female genitalia

organa genitalia feminina

Ovaries

ovarium

Uterus

uterus

Uterine tubes

tuba uterina

Vagina

vagina

Mons pubis

mons pubis

Labia majora

labia majora pudendi

Labia minora

labia minora pudendi

Greater vestibular glands

glandulae vestibulares majores

Lesser vestibular glands

glandulae vestibulares minores

Bulb of the vestibule

bulbus vestibuli

Clitoris

clitoris

Hymen

hymen

Mammary gland

mamma

Uterine (intramural) part

pars uterina/intramuralis

Isthmus of the uterine tube

isthmus tubae uterinae

Ampulla of the uterine tube

ampulla tubae uterinae

Infundibulum of the uterine tube

infundibulum tubae uterinae

Tubal fimbria

fimbriae tubae

Ovarian fimbria

fimbria ovarica

Abdominal ostium of the uterine tube

ostium abdominale tubae uterinae

Uterine ostium of the uterine tube

ostium uterinum tubae uterinae

Mucous membrane

tunica mucosa

Longitudinal folds

plicae longitudinales

Muscular layer

tunica muscularis

Circular layer

stratum circulare

Longitudinal layer

stratum longitudinale

Serous coat

tunica serosa

Mesentery of the uterine tube

mesosalpinx

Tubal branches

rr. tubarii

Tubal veins

vv. tubarii

Lumbar lymph nodes

nodi lymphatici lumbales

Uterine artery

a. uterina

Ovarian artery

a. ovarica

Internal iliac artery

a. iliaca interna

Uterine venous plexus

plexus venosus uterinus

Internal iliac vein

v. iliaca interna

Tubal plexus

plexus tubarius