Dorothy FarrarFallopian tubes
The fallopian tube (oviduct) is the part of the genital organs that transports the egg to the uterus.
Definition
The fallopian tube is a tubular, paired hollow organ through which the egg cells are brought in connection with sperm from the ovary to the uterus and fertilization takes place in this context.
Anatomy
The fallopian tubes are paired and about 10 to 16 cm long. They range from the ovary to the uterus and have the following sections:
Infundibulum tubae uterinae (fallopian tube funnel): The fallopian tube funnel is a section about 1.5 cm long that opens into the abdominal cavity. At the lateral end it has what are known as fimbriae (fringe-like extensions), which attach to the ovary and catch the egg after ovulation (ovulation). It is then transported towards the uterus.
Ampulla tubae uterinae: The ampulla represents the longest part of the fallopian tube. It is about 7 cm long, which corresponds to about 2/3 of the total tube length. The mucous membrane forms very strong folds in this section. Isthmus tubae uterinae: This section describes a constriction in the fallopian tube that is located just before the uterus. It has a length of about 2 to 3cm and a diameter of about 3mm. Pars uterina tubae uterinae: This part of the fallopian tube runs inside the uterine wall. Entry is via the fallopian tube opening.
A total of three wall layers can be distinguished in the fallopian tube: On the very outside is the tunica serosa, a layer of connective tissue that connects the ligament to the fallopian tube. The second layer is the tunica muscularis, which consists of a longitudinal muscle layer and a circular muscle layer. On the inside is the mucous membrane or tunica mucosa. This layer contains epithelial cells that are very important for egg transport.
Function
Shortly before ovulation, the fimbrae lie in the place where the egg is likely to rupture. With the help of messenger substances or rhythmic beats, this spot can be found and the egg caught. It is then transported through the fallopian tube into the uterine cavity by cilia beat. In the meantime, the musculature, which is arranged in a spiral, performs contractions, which additionally supports the transport.
The sperm, on the other hand, move against the beat of the cilia. Egg transport takes about three to five days, but the egg cell must be fertilized within six to twelve hours. If fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote develops into a blastocyst and the egg implants in the uterus.
From the age of 40, there are remodeling processes in the fallopian tube wall. These are completed when the menopause is reached and are of no disease value, because the body only adjusts to the fact that pregnancy can no longer occur.
Diseases
If bacteria rise into the fallopian tube, this can lead to inflammation, which can cause the so-called plicae tubae to stick together. The inflammations are very often triggered by bacterial infections , adhesions are caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea ( gonorrhea ), anaerobes or chlamyolia bacteria .
As a result, the sperm may find it very difficult to ascend or there may be difficulties in egg transport. There is a possibility that adhesions can also lead to infertility. In the case of an unfulfilled desire to have children, the doctor should therefore always check the permeability of the fallopian tubes.
In some cases, an ectopic pregnancy also occurs, which means that the fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the fallopian tube. Since there is no space for development here, the fruit or placenta detaches .
Sometimes there can also be scarring when there is an abortion, which can lead to infertility. In very rare cases, the embryo develops in the fallopian tube. If this is not noticed, the fallopian tube can rupture. This complication is not harmless, as there is heavy bleeding into the abdominal cavity. After an ectopic pregnancy, it is more difficult for patients to become pregnant again, and the risk of another ectopic pregnancy is significantly higher.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.