Fallopian tubes

Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.

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The fallopian tube (tuba uterina or oviduct) connects the ovary to the uterus. The fallopian tubes are laid out in pairs, one protruding from each side of the uterus. It is the place where the fertilization of a mature egg takes place and then transports it to the uterus. But there are also some problems that the fallopian tube can cause. Read everything important about the fallopian tube: function, structure and important diseases!

What is the fallopian tube?

The fallopian tube (tuba uterina) is the tubular connection between each ovary and the uterus. It is four to four inches long and is divided into four sections:

• Pars uterina: that part that runs through the wall of the uterus
• Isthmus tubae: connects to the pars uterina, is three to six centimeters long and relatively narrow
• Ampulla tubae: six to seven centimeters long and the section of the tuba uterina that has the largest inner diameter
• Infundibulum: the free funnel-shaped end of the ampoule, which is surrounded by fibers (fimbriae); it hangs freely above the ovary, its fibers lying above the posterior surface of the ovary.

The wall of the fallopian tube is made up of several layers from the inside out: mucous membrane with longitudinal folds and ciliated epithelial cells (kinocilia), muscle layer made up of circular and longitudinal muscle cells, connective tissue layer.

What is the function of the fallopian tube?

The fallopian tube function consists in the transport of a mature egg cell from the ovary to the uterus: the infundibulum of the fallopian tube lies - chemotactically controlled - over the follicle and catches the egg cell emerging from the ovary (ovulation). This is then transported in the direction of the uterus by the flicker of the cinema cilia on the inner wall of the fallopian tube, which is directed downwards towards the uterus. The wall muscle layer of the tuba uterina supports the transport of the egg cell through its contractions. After the egg cell is absorbed into the fallopian tube, it takes four to five days for it to reach the uterus.

In addition, during sexual intercourse the sperm swim from the vagina via the uterus into the tuba uterina, where they meet the egg cell in the ampulla tubae and can fertilize it.

Where is the fallopian tube located?

The right and left fallopian tubes each branch off from the uterus at an almost right angle in the upper lateral area of ​​the uterus. The two tubes run in the upper edge of the ligamentum latum, a peritoneum fold that extends from the uterus to the side wall of the small pelvis. The free funnel-shaped end of each uterine tuba lies over the respective ovary.

What problems can the fallopian tube cause?

Inflammatory diseases in the area of ​​the uterine tuba usually arise from bacterial infections rising from the lower genital areas, especially during menstruation, but also after childbirth. The disease processes usually begin with endosalpingitis - an inflammation of the mucous membrane within the tuba uterina ("tube catarrh"). It can proceed without discomfort and usually heals completely.

Under unfavorable conditions (weak immune system, very virulent pathogens, etc.) endosalpingitis can develop into salpingitis, an inflammation of the entire fallopian tube. This can develop into perisalpingitis, in which the tissue surrounding the fallopian tubes is also inflamed. As the disease progresses, it can spread to surrounding organs, such as the ovary. Then one speaks of adnexitis.

Chronic inflammation, which often goes unnoticed without symptoms, can lead to the oviduct and the fimbria funnel sticking together or to adhesions. The affected woman can become sterile.

A fallopian tube or tube pregnancy (tubal pregnancy) occurs when a fertilized egg is not transported into the uterus but is already implanted in the fallopian tube. This situation leads to a miscarriage (abortion) within a few weeks after fertilization. Perforation of the fallopian tube into the abdominal cavity can also occur - with bleeding that can be life-threatening.

In very rare cases a malignant tumor (carcinoma) can form in the fallopian tube.

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