Special Surgical Procedures II
LESSON 2: Procedures in Gynecological and Obstetrical Surgery
Section I: ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
2-5
2-5. UTERINE (FALLOPIAN) TUBES
a. The Greek word "salpinx," meaning trumpet or tube, is used in referring to the uterine tube. Bilateral tubes, each consisting of a musculomembranous channel about 4 to 5 inches long, form the canals through which the ova from either ovary are conveyed to the uterus. Each uterine tubes leaves the upper portion of the uterus, passes outward toward the sides of the pelvis, and ends in fringelike projections, called fimbriae. These are situated just below the ovaries. The fimbriae catch the ova, and the tubes convey the ova to the cavity of the uterus. This channel also transmits spermatozoa in the opposite direction. The tubes are covered on their outer surfaces by peritoneum. Each tube receives its blood supply from the branches of the uterine and ovarian arteries.
b. How the ova are transported from the ruptured follicle into the uterus is unknown. One theory is that the transfer is accomplished through vascular changes, together with contraction of the smooth muscle fibers of the tube and that the peristaltic movements of the tube push the ova toward the uterus.
c. The right tube and ovary are in close relationship to the cecum and appendix, and the left tube and ovary are associated with the sigmoid flexure of the colon. Both are closely associated with the ureters.
