THE FALLOPIAN TUBES. 12 
Structure of the Fallopian Tubes.—The wall of each tube, which is surrounded 
by a covering of peritoneum (tunica serosa), is composed of a number of concentric layers, 
or coats. Immediately beneath the peritoneum is a layer of loose connective tissue in 
which lie many vessels and nerves (tunica adventitia). Beneath this is the muscular coat 
(tunica muscularis) composed of two strata of smooth muscle fibres,—a more superficial 
stratum of longitudinally arranged fibres (stratum longitudinale), and a deeper layer the 
fibres of which are circularly disposed (stratum circulare). Deeper is a submucous 
layer (tela submucosa), and then the lining membrane or mucous coat (tunica mucosa). 
In the part of the tube near the uterus the muscular layer is thicker than towards the 
other end, and in the isthmus it forms the chief part of the wall. The mucous membrane, 
on the contrary, is thickest towards the fimbriated end, and here it forms the greater part 
of the tube wall. ‘The stratum of circular muscle fibres is especially well developed near 
——_———— External iliac artery 
— External iliac vein 
=~ Internal iliac artery 
6 
Saertunm————— 
/ 
Ureter 
External 
i | SE ry 
i 
fi External 
ty) / 
Pyriformis 
Suspensory 
ligament of. 
the ovary 
7 ] iliac 
Fallopian Vente 
tube 
Ovary 
) ‘ \ =e WEN Hypogastric 
\ iS me : . Sees Zag //{ artery 
e ho = — g ma ] Round ligament 
g A —— : Ey i UI of uterus 
gee \ So —— Z if WO Superior vesical 
‘ ; Ziff é /, artery 
Hf fi 
Levator aniz— Tie = 977 5 = it ales ramus 
Obturator } ae: i _( we Z 2 ZA pf / 
internus } |) a : j ee Z Z / / 
% 3 Ly Z = Hf obturator externus 
Fic. 773.—SmE WALL OF THE FEMALE PELVIS, showing the position of the ovary and the course of the 
Fallopian tube. 
The pelvis has been cut in section parallel to, but at some distance from, the mesial plane. Drawn from a 
preparation in the Anatomical Department, Trinity College, Dublin. 
the uterus. The mucous membrane is thrown into numerous longitudinal folds (plice 
tubarize), which in the ampulla are exceedingly complex, the larger ones being beset on 
the surface by smaller folds. In transverse sections of this part of the tube the folds of 
the mucous membrane look like large branching processes projecting into, and almost 
completely filling up, the lumen of the tube. The mucous membrane is covered by a 
ciliated epithelium, the cilia of which tend to drive the contents of the tube towards the 
uterus. The epithelium is continuous with that of the uterus, and at the fimbriated end 
joins the peritoneum. 
Vessels and Nerves of the Fallopian Tube.—The Fallopian tube receives its chief blood- 
supply from a branch of the uterine artery (ramus tubarius), but it also receives small branches 
derived from the ovarian artery. The veins of the tube pour their blood partly into the uterine 
and partly into the ovarian veins. The nerves are derived from the plexus that supplies the 
ovary, and also from the plexus in connexion with the uterus. The lymphatics join the lumbar 
group of glands. 
