[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Histology](https://durgical.com/en/histology/) › [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/histology/#a-reproductive) › Uterine tube

[Histology](https://durgical.com/en/histology/) · [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/histology/#a-reproductive)

# Uterine tube

- Organ

The uterine tube catches the egg and carries it to the uterus with cilia and contractions; fertilisation usually happens there.

Updated 2026-11-01

**See it in 3D:** [Uterine tubes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/)

## Key points

- Simple columnar epithelium with ciliated cells and non-ciliated secretory (peg) cells.
- The ampulla has the most complex mucosal folds and is the usual site of fertilisation.
- Ectopic pregnancy occurs mostly in the tube, and within it in the ampulla.
- Salpingitis from Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae scars the folds and is the leading preventable cause of ectopic pregnancy and tubal infertility.
- Estrogen increases the cilia and their beating around ovulation.

## What it is

The uterine tube has four parts: infundibulum with fimbriae, ampulla, isthmus and intramural part. Its mucosa forms highly branched folds, most of all in the ampulla, lined by ciliated and secretory cells. Cilia and smooth muscle contraction move the oocyte and embryo toward the uterus. When infections damage the folds and cilia, infertility and ectopic pregnancy become more likely.

## Structure

- Cross section of the ampulla: lumen almost filled by branching mucosal folds like a labyrinth.
- Isthmus: shorter folds and thicker muscle.
- Wall: mucosa, smooth muscle (inner circular and outer longitudinal) and serosa.

## Function

- Catch the oocyte with the fimbriae.
- Nourish the gametes and early embryo with the secretion of the peg cells.
- Carry the embryo to the uterus over a few days.

## Step by step

- The fimbriae sweep the surface of the ovary and pick up the released oocyte.
- Cilia and muscle contraction carry it toward the ampulla.
- In the ampulla oocyte and sperm meet and fertilisation takes place.
- The embryo moves through the isthmus while it divides.
- It reaches the uterine cavity as a blastocyst and implants in the secretory endometrium.

## Clinical notes

- Ruptured ectopic pregnancy: abdominal pain and internal bleeding; an emergency.
- Hydrosalpinx: a tube blocked by infection fills with fluid.
- Many high-grade serous carcinomas once thought ovarian seem to arise in the epithelium of the fimbriae.

## Memory aid

The tube is a conveyor belt with brushes: if infection scars the brushes, the embryo gets stranded on the way.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which two cell types line the uterine tube?

Ciliated cells and non-ciliated secretory cells (peg cells).

## In which segment of the tube does fertilisation usually happen?

In the ampulla.

## Which sexually transmitted infections damage the tube and raise the risk of ectopic pregnancy?

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which cause salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/histology/uterine-tube/)

## See it in 3D

The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found.

- [Uterine tubes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/)

## Related

- [Cilia, microvilli and stereocilia](https://durgical.com/en/histology/cilia-microvilli-and-stereocilia/)
- [Ovary: follicles, ovulation and corpus luteum](https://durgical.com/en/histology/ovary-follicles-ovulation-and-corpus-luteum/)
- [Uterus and the endometrial cycle](https://durgical.com/en/histology/uterus-and-the-endometrial-cycle/)

## Related conditions

- [Ectopic pregnancy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/)
- [Pelvic inflammatory disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/)

## Microorganisms

- [Chlamydia trachomatis](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/chlamydia-trachomatis/)
- [Neisseria gonorrhoeae](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/neisseria-gonorrhoeae/)

[← All of histology](https://durgical.com/en/histology/)

Educational content on normal microscopic structure and its clinical relevance; no substitute for studying slides or for a health professional's advice.

Sources: [27.2 Anatomy and Physiology of the Ovarian Reproductive System](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/27-2-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-ovarian-reproductive-system) (OpenStax, Rice University, 2022); [Genital Tract](https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/reproductive/female/tract.html) (National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, 2026).

## **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/histology/uterine-tube/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/histology/uterine-tube/