Page 159 - Clinical Anatomy

ECA2 7/18/06 6:43 PM Page 144

144 The abdomen and pelvis

Fig. 106◊The Fallopian tube, ovary and broad ligament.

The Fallopian tubes (Fig. 106)
The Fallopian, or uterine, tubes are about 4in (10cm) long; they lie in the
free edge of the broad ligaments and open into the cornu of the uterus. Each
comprises four parts.
1◊◊The infundibulum — the bugle-shaped extremity extending beyond the
broad ligament and opening into the peritoneal cavity by the ostium. Its
mouth is fimbriated and overlies the ovary, to which one long fimbria actu-
ally adheres (fimbria ovarica).
2◊◊The ampulla—wide, thin-walled and tortuous.
3◊◊The isthmus—narrow, straight and thick-walled.
4◊◊The interstitial part—which pierces the uterine wall.

Structure
Apart from the interstitial part, the tube is clothed in peritoneum. Beneath
this is a muscle of outer longitudinal and inner circular fibres.
The mucosa is formed of columnar, mainly ciliated cells and lies in lon-
gitudinal ridges, each of which is thrown into numerous folds.
The ova are propelled to the uterus along this tube, partly by peristalsis
and partly by cilial action.

Clinical features

1◊◊Note that the genital canal in the female is the only direct communica-