Uterine tubes

Question 1

What is the function of the uterine tubes?

Answer 1

• Covey ovulated ovum to ovary
• Normal site for fertilization
• blastocyst formation after successful fertilization

Question 2

True/False: the uterine tubes position never changes.

Answer 2

False: the position may vary and be asymmetrical

Question 3

What are the uterine tubes?

Answer 3

approximately 10cm long tube located in mesosalpinx

-extend laterally from uterine horns

Question 4

Where does the uterine tubes open?

Answer 4

open to peritoneal cavity near ovaries

Question 5

What are the regions of the uterine tubes?

Answer 5

Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Intramural segment

Question 6

What is the infundibulum and what makes up it?

Answer 6

funnel shaped, the distal end adjacent to ovary

-made up of abdominal ostium and fimbriae

Question 7

What is the name of the opening to the peritoneal cavity?

Answer 7

Abdominal ostium

Question 8

What is salpingitis?

Answer 8

inflammation often resulting in uterine tube blockage

-major cause of female infertility

Question 9

Frimbriae

Answer 9

finger-like fringe processes which associate with the ovary

Question 10

What is the ampulla?

Answer 10

widest and longest section of uterine tube

• distal 2/3’s between infundibulum and isthmus
• usual site for fertilization

Question 11

What is the isthmus?

Answer 11

narrow, thick walled part adjacent to uterine horn

Question 12

What is the intramural segment?

Answer 12

short section that passes through wall of uterus

-portion of the tube that opens to uterine cavity

Question 13

What is the opening to the uterine cavity called?

Answer 13

uterine ostium

Question 14

Which arteries supply the uterine tubes?

Answer 14

Uterine a. (from internal iliac a.)

ovarian a. (from abdominal aorta)

Question 15

What is the venous drainage of uterine tubes?

Answer 15

Uterine venous plexus drains to internal iliac v.

Ovarian v. drains to IVC or Left Renal v.

Question 16

What is the lymphatic drainage of uterine tubes?

Answer 16

efferent drainage is to lumbar lymph nodes

Question 17

What is the autonomic innervation of uterine tubes by?

Answer 17

via inferior hypogastric plexus

Question 18

What do the Visceral afferents follow?

Answer 18

follow sympathetics via lumbar splanchnic n. (to T11-L1)

Question 19

What are ectopic tubal pregnancies?

Answer 19

Uterine tubes may sometimes be partly occluded

• adhesion may occur and sometime pus accumulates during infection
• May prevent blastocyst from reaching uterus for implantation

Question 20

When does a tubal pregnancy occur?

Answer 20

occurs if blastocyst implants in uterine tube mucosa

-developing embryo cannot be sustained in tubal implantation

Question 21

Where is the most common type of ectopic gestation?

Answer 21

implantation in ampulla

Question 22

What are the risks associated with a tubal implantation?

Answer 22

risk of rupture of tube and hemorrhage

-severe hemorrhage associated with rupture puts mother’s life at risk

Question 23

What can be a misdiagnoses of a ruptured right side tubal pregnancy?

Answer 23

appendicitis

Question 24

What is a tubal ligation?

Answer 24

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