Uterine tubes Flashcards
What is the function of the uterine tubes?
- Covey ovulated ovum to ovary
- Normal site for fertilization
- blastocyst formation after successful fertilization
True/False: the uterine tubes position never changes.
False: the position may vary and be asymmetrical
What are the uterine tubes?
approximately 10cm long tube located in mesosalpinx
-extend laterally from uterine horns
Where does the uterine tubes open?
open to peritoneal cavity near ovaries
What are the regions of the uterine tubes?
Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Intramural segment
What is the infundibulum and what makes up it?
funnel shaped, the distal end adjacent to ovary
-made up of abdominal ostium and fimbriae
What is the name of the opening to the peritoneal cavity?
Abdominal ostium
What is salpingitis?
inflammation often resulting in uterine tube blockage
-major cause of female infertility
Frimbriae
finger-like fringe processes which associate with the ovary
What is the ampulla?
widest and longest section of uterine tube
- distal 2/3’s between infundibulum and isthmus
- usual site for fertilization
What is the isthmus?
narrow, thick walled part adjacent to uterine horn
What is the intramural segment?
short section that passes through wall of uterus
-portion of the tube that opens to uterine cavity
What is the opening to the uterine cavity called?
uterine ostium
Which arteries supply the uterine tubes?
Uterine a. (from internal iliac a.)
ovarian a. (from abdominal aorta)
What is the venous drainage of uterine tubes?
Uterine venous plexus drains to internal iliac v.
Ovarian v. drains to IVC or Left Renal v.
What is the lymphatic drainage of uterine tubes?
efferent drainage is to lumbar lymph nodes
What is the autonomic innervation of uterine tubes by?
via inferior hypogastric plexus
What do the Visceral afferents follow?
follow sympathetics via lumbar splanchnic n. (to T11-L1)
What are ectopic tubal pregnancies?
Uterine tubes may sometimes be partly occluded
- adhesion may occur and sometime pus accumulates during infection
- May prevent blastocyst from reaching uterus for implantation
When does a tubal pregnancy occur?
occurs if blastocyst implants in uterine tube mucosa
-developing embryo cannot be sustained in tubal implantation
Where is the most common type of ectopic gestation?
implantation in ampulla
What are the risks associated with a tubal implantation?
risk of rupture of tube and hemorrhage
-severe hemorrhage associated with rupture puts mother’s life at risk
What can be a misdiagnoses of a ruptured right side tubal pregnancy?
appendicitis
What is a tubal ligation?
surgical method of female birth control
- segment of uterine tube is removed and /or interrupted with clips or rings
- procedure may be done laproscopically with small abdominal incisions
- ovulated oocytes entering uterine tubes degenerate and are quickly resorbed
