Fallopian tube

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Fallopian tube

Schematic frontal view of female anatomy
Image:Gray589.png
Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. (Fallopian tubes visible at top right and top left.)
Latin	tuba uterina
Gray's	subject #267 1257
Artery	ovarian artery, uterine artery
Lymph	lumbar lymph nodes
Precursor	Müllerian duct
MeSH	Fallopian+Tubes
Dorlands/Elsevier	t_21/12827008

The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges (singular salpinx), are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus.

1 Anatomy
2 Function in fertilization
3 Embryology and homology
4 Surgery
5 Etymology and nomenclature
6 Additional images
7 See also
8 External links

[edit] Anatomy

There are two Fallopian tubes, attached to either side of the cranial end of the uterus, and each terminating at or near one ovary forming a structure called the fimbria.

The Fallopian tubes are not directly attached to the ovaries, but open into the peritoneal cavity (essentially the inside of the abdomen); they thus form a direct communication between the peritoneal cavity and the outside via the vagina.

In humans, the Fallopian tubes are about 7–14 cm long.

The Fallopian tubes are mobile, and have been observed on time-lapse videography moving about the pelvis. Although anatomical illustrations have them proceeding from the uterine horns to the ovary, this is not the case for most of the menstrual cycle, and a tube may cross to the other side or lie on top of the uterus.

[edit] Function in fertilization

When an ovum is developing in an ovary, it is encapsulated in a sac known as an ovarian follicle.

On maturity of the ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of pregnancy.

Occasionally the embryo implants into the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus, creating an ectopic pregnancy, commonly known as a "tubal Pregnancy".

[edit] Embryology and homology

The Fallopian tubes are not homologous to the vas deferens or any other structure in males.

Embryos have two pairs of ducts to let gametes out of the body; one pair develops in females into the Fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina, while the other pair develops in males into the epididymis and vas deferens.

Normally, only one of the pair of tubes will develop while the other regresses and disappears in utero.

[edit] Surgery

The surgical removal of a Fallopian tube is called a salpingectomy. To remove both sides is a bilateral salpingectomy. An operation that combines the removal of a Fallopian tube with removal of at least one ovary is a salpingo-oophorectomy.

[edit] Etymology and nomenclature

They are named after their discoverer, the 16th century Italian anatomist, Gabriele Falloppio.

Though the name 'Fallopian tube' is eponymous, some texts spell it with a lower case 'f' owing to the theory that the adjective 'fallopian' has been absorbed into modern English as the de facto name for the structure.

The Greek word salpinx (σαλπιγξ) means "trumpeter".

[edit] Additional images

Sectional plan of the gravid uterus in the third and fourth month.	Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron.	Longitudinal section of ovary of cat embryo of 9.4 cm. long.	Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind.
Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front.	Posterior half of uterus and upper part of vagina.	The arteries of the internal organs of generation of the female, seen from behind.	Uterus and uterine tubes.
Female internal reproductive anatomy.	Histology