Anatomy
Paired narrow muscular tubes (also known as uterine tubes, oviducts, salpinges), continuous with uterus medially, expanded laterally to envelop/overlay much of the ovary. Lateral to medial sections; wide infundibulum with fimbriae and ostium, ampulla, isthmus, intramural/interstitial part, uterotubal junction with ostium.
The ends of the fallopian tube are termed ostia. The pinhead-sized proximal/medial/inner ostium opens into the uterine cavity at the fundus, where tubal ciliated epithelium meets uterine endometrium. The wide, fimbriated outer/lateral/distal ostium surrounds much of the ovary.
The ampulla of the fallopian tube is the intermediate section, between (wider) infundibulum and (narrower) isthmus, curves over ovary from lower to upper extremities.
The isthmus refers to the narrow inner/medial third of fallopian tube, between ampulla and uterotubal junction.
The infundibulum is a Funnel-shaped section of the fallopian tube, between fimbriae and ampulla (out-to-in ie lateral-to-medial; fimbriae, ampulla, isthmus, uterotubal junction, ostium).
Physiology
Ovum and sperm meet in the fallopian tube and a zygote is formed, ciliated epithelium wafts ovum in from ovary and subsequent zygote back to uterus, epithelial peg cells produce tubular fluid which sustains ovum/sperm/zygote.
The fertilised egg spends some days in the fallopian tube, during which time it is nourished (as it goes through its first divisions – zygote, morula by secretions of tubal luminal cells.
Clinical
Two sets of embryonic ducts for gamete secretion; Mullerian in female develops into vagina, uterus, tubes; Wolffian in male develops into epididymis and vas; undeveloped set regresses. Tubal pregnancy is ectopic (outside uterine cavity); implantation of zygote in tube, rarely viable, usually miscarriage as tubal abortion, methotrexate useful treatment, can bleed significantly and cause morbidity/mortality. Patency impairment a significant cause of infertility. Salpingitis (infective) common.
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