Fallopian tube Flashcards
what are the uterine tubes also known as?
fallopian tubes
oviducts / salpinx
what are uterine tubes?
muscular ‘J-shaped’ tubes, found in the female reproductive tract
where do the uterine tubes lie?
in the upper border of the broad ligament
where do the uterine tubes extend?
laterally from the uterus
where do uterine tubes open into?
the abdominal cavity, near the ovaries
what is the main function of the uterine tubes?
assist in the transfer and transport of the ovum from the ovary, to the uterus
what are the ultrastructures of the uterine tube which assist the movement of female gamete?
inner mucosa
smooth muscle layer
how does the inner mucosa assist with the movement of female gamete?
inner mucosa is lined with ciliated columnar epithelial cells and peg cells
what are peg cells within the inner mucosa of fallopian tubes?
non-ciliated secretory cells
function of the ciliated columnar epithelial of inner mucosa?
They waft the ovum towards the uterus and supply it with nutrients
how does the SM layer assist the movement of female gamete?
contracts to assist with transportation of the ova and sperm
what are the SM of the fallopian tubes sensitive to? what does this mean?
Muscle is sensitive to sex steroids, and thus peristalsis is greatest when oestrogen levels are high
what are the different anatomical parts of the fallopian tube? (lateral to medial)
4 parts: fimbriae infundibulum ampulla isthmus
what is the fimbriae of the fallopian tube? (function)
Finger-like, ciliated projections which capture the ovum from the surface of the ovary
what is the infundibulum of the fallopian tube?
Funnel-shaped opening near the ovary to which fimbriae are attached
what is the ampulla of the fallopian tube?
Widest section of the uterine tubes
what is the isthmus of the fallopian tube?
Narrow section of the uterine tubes connecting the ampulla to the uterine cavity
where does fertilisation normally occur?
within the ampulla of the fallopian tube
arterial supply of the fallopian tube?
via the uterine and ovarian arteries
mainly ovarian artery - uterine near the isthmus
venous drainage of the fallopian tube?
via the uterine and ovarian veins
lymphatic drainage of the fallopian tube?
via the iliac, sacral and aortic lymph nodes
where does the fallopian tubes receive innervation from?
both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation via nerve fibres from the ovarian and uterine (pelvic) plexuses
nerve roots of fallopian tubes’ sensory afferent fibres
from T11- L1
