[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Uterine tubes [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Uterine tubes The uterine (Fallopian) tubes are two thin tubes from the uterus to the ovaries; they catch the egg and carry it, or the early embryo, to the uterus. Official name: Uterine tube [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=uterine_tubes&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The two uterine (fallopian) tubes, from the uterus to each ovary. ## What it does Carry the egg and the early embryo toward the uterus. ## Key points - The tubes open the peritoneal cavity to the outside through the uterus and [vagina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vagina/): a route for ascending infection, and the basis of tests of tubal patency - Ciliated and secretory (peg) cells line them; cilia beat toward the uterus, helped by muscular peristalsis, and damage from infection or smoking slows transport and raises the risk of ectopic pregnancy - The tube is the site of the large majority of ectopic pregnancies, most often in the ampulla ## Key facts **Where** Upper free edge of the broad ligament (mesosalpinx), 10–12 cm from the uterine cornu to the ovary: intramural part, isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum with fimbriae **Blood supply** Tubal branches of the uterine and ovarian arteries **Nerve** Ovarian and uterovaginal plexuses (T10–L1 sympathetic; vagal and S2–S4 parasympathetic) **Function** Egg capture, fertilisation (usually in the ampulla) and transport of the embryo to the uterus over 3–5 days ## Relations **Course** From the uterine cornu laterally in the upper free edge of the [broad ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/broad-ligament-of-uterus/) ([mesosalpinx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesosalpinx/)), arching over the [ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovary/) to open beside it **Below** Mesosalpinx, [ovarian ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/proper-ovarian-ligament/) and ovaries **In front** [Round ligament of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/round-ligament-of-uterus/), which leaves the uterus just below and in front of the tube **Lateral** Lateral pelvic wall and ovarian fossa; on the right the [appendix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vermiform-appendix/) lies close, on the left the [sigmoid colon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-colon/) ## How to find it Not palpable when normal. At laparoscopy each tube is traced outward from the upper corner of the uterus in the free upper edge of the broad ligament, with the round ligament leaving just in front and below; the ovary lies beneath its outer end. ## Examination - Chromopertubation at laparoscopy: dye passed through the [cervix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cervix-of-uterus/) should be seen spilling from the fimbrial ends; no spill means a blocked tube ## On imaging Normal tubes are hard to see on ultrasound. A hydrosalpinx is a fluid-filled, tubular or sausage-shaped structure separate from the ovary, with incomplete folds; hysterosalpingography (HSG) and contrast sonography test patency by showing contrast filling the tubes and spilling freely into the [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/). ## 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 - Pelvic inflammatory disease scars the tubes: tubal factor infertility, hydrosalpinx and a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy - Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome): infection spreads from the open tubes up the paracolic gutter to the [liver](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/liver/) capsule - On the right, a tubal ectopic pregnancy or a tubo-ovarian abscess can mimic appendicitis, because the tube lies near the appendix - Opportunistic salpingectomy at hysterectomy or sterilisation is increasingly used, since many high-grade serous cancers are thought to start in the fimbriae ## Development The tubes form from the unfused upper parts of the paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts; the funnel opening is the duct's original opening into the coelom. ## Related conditions - [Ectopic pregnancy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/) - [Pelvic inflammatory disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/) - [Gonorrhoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gonorrhoea/) - [Chlamydia infection](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/chlamydia-infection/) - [Female infertility](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/female-infertility/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## In which part of the uterine tubes do most ectopic pregnancies occur? The ampulla; the uterine tube is the site of the large majority of ectopic pregnancies. ## How does pelvic inflammatory disease affect the uterine tubes? It scars them: tubal factor infertility, hydrosalpinx and a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. ## What is Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome? Perihepatitis: infection spreads from the open uterine tubes up the paracolic gutter to the liver capsule. ## What does chromopertubation show when the uterine tubes are patent? Dye passed through the cervix spills from the fimbrial ends at laparoscopy; no spill means a blocked tube. ## Why is opportunistic salpingectomy increasingly done at hysterectomy or sterilisation? Many high-grade serous cancers are thought to start in the fimbriae of the uterine tubes. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** tuba uterina TA2 3486 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Trompas uterinas DeCS D005187 **English (TA2)** Uterine tube **Also called** fallopian tubes · tuba Falloppii · oviduct · fallopian tube ## Related - [Fundus of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fundus-of-uterus/) - [Isthmus of uterine tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/isthmus-of-uterine-tube/) - [Mesosalpinx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesosalpinx/) - [Uterine artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-artery/) - [Ovarian artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=5288); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Fallopian Tube](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547660/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/