1126 UROGENITAL SYSTEM. 
uterus. Each tube is about four and a quarter inches in length, and opens at one end 
into the pelvic cavity near the ovary, and at the other end by a smaller opening into 
the lateral part of the uterine cavity. The tube is enclosed in a fold of peritoneum 
called the mesosalpinx, which is a portion of the broad ligament of the uterus. 
The opening of the tube into the pelvic avity—or ostium abdominale—is of 
small size, being only about 2 mim. in diameter when its walls are relaxed, and 
much narrower when the muscular coat of the tube is contracted. This opening is 
placed at the bottom of a funnel-hke expansion of the tube called the infundibulum 
Gnfundibulum tubs uterimee), the margins of which are produced into a number of 
irregular processes or fimbrie (fimbrice tube). The presence of these fimbrize—many 
of which are branched or fringed—has given the name fimbriated extremity to this 
end of the Fallopian tube. The surface of the fimbrize which looks into the cavity 
of the infundibulum is covered by a mucous membrane continuous with that lning 
the tube, while the outer surface is clothed by peritoneum. The mucous surfaces 
of the larger fimbrize present ridges and grooves which are continued into the folds 
and furrows of the mucous coat of the tube. One of the fimbriz, usually much ° 
larger than the rest, is connected either directly or indirectly with the upper or 
tubal pole of the ovary, and to it the name ovarian fimbria (fimbria ovarica) is 
apphed. The part of the tube continuous with the infundibulum, and into which 
the ostium abdominale leads, is called the ampulla (ampulla tube uterinze). This, 
Parovarium Ligament Lateral angle 
Fallopian tube | Ovary of ovary Uterus a of uterus 
Cavity 
of cervix 
Fimbriated end of tube 
Broad 
Round ligament Z 
ligament > 
Vaginal cavity 
A B 
Fig. 772.—A. THE Urerus anp Broap LIGAMENT, SEEN FROM BEHIND (the broad ligament has been 
spread out). 
a, b, and c, the isthmus tube, the ligament of the ovary, and the round ligament of the right side cut short. 
B. DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE UTERINE CAVITY. 
the widest and longest portion of the Fallopian tube, is usually tortuous and of 
varying diameter, being in some places slightly constricted, and in others dis- 
tended. The wide thin-walled ampulla ends in the narrower, thicker-walled, and 
much-shorter isthmus (isthmus tubze uterinv) which joins the lateral angle of the 
uterus. The last portion of the canal, or pars uterina, is embedded in the substance 
of the uterine wall which it traverses to reach the cavity of the uterus (Fig. 772, B). 
The opening into the uterus (ostium uterinum tube) is smaller than the ostium 
abdominale, being about 1 mm. in diameter. The lumen of the canal gradually 
increases in width as it is traced outwards from the uterus. 
Course of the Fallopian Tube—Traced from the lateral angle of the uterus 
the Fallopian tube is directed at first horizontally outwards towards the lower, or 
uterine, pole of the ovary. It then passes upwards in relation to the inner side of 
the anterior border of the ovary, until it reaches the upper or tubal pole, where, 
arching backwards, it descends along the posterior border, resting against the 1 inner 
surface of the gland (Fig. 774). As the Fallopian tube describes this loop it often 
covers almost the entire inner surface of the ovary. The fimbriated end of the 
tube lies against the lower part of the inner surface of the ovary, and from it the 
ovarian fimbria passes upwards to gain attachment to the tubal pole. 
The fimbriated end of the Fallopian tube lies in the abdominal cavity until the ovary in its 
descent has entered the pelvis. , 
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