700 THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE FEMALE. 



The Fallopian Tubes. 



Malformations. 



Absence of both tubes occurs with absence of the uterus. One tube may be absent, 

 with arrested development of the corresponding side of the uterus. Both tubes may be 

 imperfectly developed ; either of their ends may be closed ; they may be inserted into 

 the uterus at an abnormal place ; they may terminate in two or three abdominal ostia. 



Changes in Position and Size. 



The Fallopian tubes may participate in the various malpositions of the uterus and 

 ovaries; but they are most frequently displaced by the contraction of adhesions formed 

 in perimetritic and periovarial inflammations. 



The lumen of the tube may be partially or completely closed as the result of in- 

 flammation of the mucous membrane ; of peritonitis about the fimbriated extremity ; 



FIG. 457. HYDROSALPINX. 



The tube at the left is much distended but still tubular. The tube at the right is dilated to cystic form. 

 Between the distended tubes is the fundus of the uterus. 



of tumors or inflammation of the uterus; or by pressure from without, or by adhesions, 

 tumors, etc. It may become stopped by plugs of mucus or pus. 



Dilatation of the tubes may be produced by an accumulation of catarrhal or other 

 exudation, when there is partial or complete stenosis at some portion of the tube. The 

 dilatation may be moderate, converting the tube into a tortuous, sacculated canal con- 

 taining mucous or serous fluid ; or, more rarely, large cysts may form containing several 

 pounds of serous fluid hydrosalpinx* (Fig. 457). As the fluid collects the epithelium 

 may become flattened or fatty or may desquamate. Inflammation may take place in 

 the walls of the dilated tube and the contents may be mixed with pus or blood. Rup- 



1 For a study of hydrosalpinx with full bibliography see Culkn, Johns Hopkins 

 Hospital Reports, vol. iv., p. 851, 1895. 



