Chap. XX.] FEMALE GENERATIVE OEGANS. 247 



Fallopian tubes. — The Fallopian ^ tubes or oviducts are pro- 

 vided for the purpose of conveying the ova from the ovaries 

 into the cavity of the uterus. They are two in number, one on 

 each side, and pass from the upper angles of the uterus in a 

 somewhat tortuous course between the folds and along the 

 upper margin of the broad ligament, towards the sides of the 

 pelvis. Each tube is about four inches (102 mm.) in length, 

 and is described as consisting of three portions : (1) the isth- 

 mus^ or inner constricted half ; (2) . the ampulla, or outer 

 dilated portion, which curves over the ovary ; and (3) the 

 wfiDidibidmn, or trumpet-shaped extremity, the margins of 

 whicli are frayed out into a number of fringe-like processes 

 called fimhrice. One of these fimbriae is attached to the ovary. 

 The uterine opening of the Fallopian tube is minute, and will 

 only admit a fine bristle ; the abdominal opening (ostium ab- 

 dominale) is comparatively much larger. 



The Fallopian tube consists, like the uterus, of three coats : 

 the external or serous coat, derived from the peritoneum ; the 

 middle or muscular coat, having a layer of longitudinal and of 

 circular fibres ; and the internal or mucous coat, continuous at 

 the inner end with the mucous lining of the uterus, and at the 

 distal end with the serous lining of the abdominal cavity. This 

 is the only instance in the body in which a mucous and serous 

 lining are continuous with one another. 



When the ovum is ready for entrance into the Fallopian tube, 

 the fimbriae of the free end grasp the ovary, the tiny germ-cell 

 is safely conducted into the trumpet-shaped extremity, and is 

 thence carried along by the peristaltic motion of the oviduct 

 into the uterus. This transmission of the cell is also assisted 

 by the ciliated epithelium lining the tube, the motion of the 

 cilia wafting it onwards. 



The ovaries. — The ovaries are two small almond-shaped 

 bodies, situated one on each side of the uterus, between the 

 anterior and posterior folds of the broad ligament, and below 

 the Fallopian tubes. Each ovary is attached by its inner end 

 to the uterus by a short ligament — the ligament of the ovary; 

 and by its outer end to the Fallopian tube by one of the fringe- 

 like processes of the fimbriated extremity. The ovaries each 

 measure about one and a half inches (38 mm.) in length, three- 

 1 Named after Fallopius, an Italian anatomist. 



