Reproductive system · Pelvis · Female
Infundibulum and fimbriae !
The infundibulum is the funnel-shaped outer end of the uterine tube, fringed by finger-like fimbriae that sweep over the ovary to catch the egg.
Official name: Infundibulum of uterine tube
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What it is
The funnel-shaped outer end of the tube, fringed with finger-like fimbriae next to the ovary.
What it does
Sweeps over the ovary to catch the egg at ovulation.
Key facts
- Where
- Funnel-shaped lateral end opening into the peritoneal cavity (abdominal ostium), fringed by fimbriae; one ovarian fimbria attaches to the ovary
- Function
- Sweeps the ovarian surface to capture the oocyte at ovulation
Relations
- Medial
- Ampulla of uterine tube
- Below
- Ovaries, over whose tubal pole it curves
- Lateral
- Lateral pelvic wall, near the suspensory ligament of ovary
How to find it
At laparoscopy the fringed funnel lies at the free lateral end of the tube, curled over the ovary near the suspensory ligament; in chromopertubation dye should flow out of its opening.
On imaging
A normal tube is usually not seen on ultrasound unless fluid surrounds it. On hysterosalpingography contrast fills the tube and spills freely from the fimbrial end into the peritoneum; no spill with a dilated tube means a blocked end. On ultrasound a hydrosalpinx is a sausage-shaped fluid tube with incomplete folds. MRI or CT help with tubo-ovarian abscess or torsion.
Common problems
- Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that implants in the tube).
- Infection (pelvic inflammatory disease) that can scar and block the tubes and cause infertility.
How it is diagnosed
Ultrasound and a pregnancy hormone (hCG) test for ectopic pregnancy; tests of tubal patency for infertility.
Treatment
- Tubal ligation or removal of the tubes (salpingectomy) for permanent contraception.
- An ectopic pregnancy is treated with medicine (methotrexate) or surgery.
Clinical notes
- Risk-reducing surgery for inherited ovarian cancer risk always removes the tubes with their fimbriae, not only the ovaries
- The fimbrial end can twist on its own (isolated tubal torsion), a rare cause of acute pelvic pain
Anatomical variants
- Hydatid of Morgagni: a small cyst on a stalk hanging from the fimbriae, a paramesonephric remnant, usually found by chance
Development
The opening is the original cranial opening of the paramesonephric duct into the coelom, which is why it stays open to the peritoneal cavity.
Related conditions
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Why is the female peritoneal cavity open to the outside, unlike the male?
The abdominal opening of the infundibulum of the uterine tube communicates with the peritoneal cavity.
Where are many high-grade serous «ovarian» cancers thought to begin?
In the fimbriae of the infundibulum (serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma).
What is fimbrial phimosis and what does it lead to?
After infection the fimbriae stick together and seal the opening, leading to a hydrosalpinx.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- infundibulum tubae uterinae; fimbriae tubae uterinae TA2 3488
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Infundíbulo de la trompa uterina
- English (TA2)
- Infundibulum of uterine tube
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Fallopian Tube.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
