Fallopian Tube

Fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes or oviducts are an essential anatomy in the female reproductive that connect the ovaries and the uterus.

These narrow tubes are attached to the upper region of the uterus, serving as pathways for the eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus while also helping sperms travel up the womb. Every month, approximately in the middle of one’s menstrual cycle, the fallopian tubes are responsible to carry an egg from ovary to the uterus. The process of fertilisation occurs in a region of the fallopian tubes called ampullary-isthmic junction, from where the fertilised product, embryo moves to the uterus to be implanted onto the uterine lining.

Disruptions in the proper functioning of the fallopian tube can lead to infertility as the process of fertilisation is unable to take place in the anatomy. This can be due to blockages and infections. Fallopian tube blockage is a condition where either one or both the passages are blocked or scarred, causing various health and fertility complications. These blockage(s) disrupt the pathway for sperms to reach the eggs, as well as the passage for the fertilised egg.

Fallopian tubes may also get infected by different pathogens, including bacteria, and are classified under Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PIDs). Such infection is called Salpingitis and can lead to inflammation and swelling of the oviducts.