1270 



UROGENITAL SYSTEM 



with the superior angles of the uterus and running in the superior border of the 

 broad ligament (mesosalpinx) to come into relation with the ovaries at their 

 distal extremities. Each tube opens proximally into the uterine cavity and dis- 

 tally communicates with the pelvic portion of the peritoneal cavity by a funnel- 

 shaped mouth, the ostium abdominale, which under normal conditions is closely 

 apphed to the surface of the ovary, so as to receive the ova as they are expelled 

 from the Graafian foUicles. Each tube is from 7 to 14 cm. in length and con- 

 sists of a narrow straight portion, the isthmus, immediately adjoining the uterus, 

 followed by a broader, more or less flexuous portion, the ampulla, which terminates 

 in a funnel-like dilatation, the infundibulum. The margins of the infundibulum 

 are fringed by numerous diverging processes, the fimbria, one of which, the 

 fimbria ovarica, is much longer than the rest and extends along the free border of 

 the mesosalpinx (the infundibulo-pelvic ligament) to reach the tubal pole of the 

 ovary. 



The course of each tube is at first almost horizontally laterally and backward 

 from its attachment to the uterus, until it reaches the lateral wall of the pelvis 

 and there comes into relation with the uterine extremity of the ovary (figs. 

 1029, 1034). It then bends at right angles and passes almost vertically upward 



Fig. 1030. — The Broad Ligament and its Contents, seen from the Front. 



(After Sappey.) 

 EpoOphoron 



Ampulla of Fallopian tube 



Tuba uterina 



External angle of uterus 



Fimbriated extremity of tube 



Fimbria ovarica 



Round ligament 

 Ovarian ligament 



Anterior peritoneal lamina 



along the mesovarial border of the ovary until it reaches its tubal extremity, 

 where it curves downward and backward so that the mouth of the infundibulum 

 and the fimbriae rest upon the medial surface of the ovary. 



Structure. — The tubac occupy the upper free edge of the mesosalpinx and are therefore 

 enclosed within a perilorifal (■overin(j [tunica serosa] except a small strip along their lower surface 

 (fig. 1027), and hence a rupture of one of them may lead to the escape of its contents either 

 into the peritoneal cavity or into the subserous areolar tissue between the two layers of the broad 

 ligament. At the margins of the infundibvUum and the borders of its fimbria; the peritoneal 

 cpif helium liecomcs directly continuous with the mucous membrane hning the interior of 

 the tube. The Hubserous arcular tissue [tunica adventitial in the immediate vicinity of the tube 

 is lax and contains the blo()d-ves.sels and nerves by which the tube is supplied; it forms a loose 

 connection between the peritoneum and the musculnr wall [tunica muscularis] of the tube. This 

 consists of two layers of non-striped nmscle fibres, an outer longitudinal and an inner circular 

 one, and reaches its greatest developincnt toward the uterine end of the tube. The inner 

 layer [tunica mucosa] of the tube is lined bj' a colunmar ciliated epithelium which is raised into 

 numerous folds, simple in the region of the isthmus, but becoming higher and more complex 

 in the ampulla, where, in transverse sections, the lumen seems to have a labyrinthine form. 

 Tiie beat of the cilia is toward the uterus. 



Vessels and nerves.- -'I'he nrlcries of the tuba' are derived from the ovarian and uterine, 

 e;ich of wliicli gives off a tubal branch, which i)ass between the two layers of the mesosalpinx, 

 the one meilially and the other laterally, and anastomose to form a single stem. The veins 

 accompany the arteries. The l!jm})halirii acc()mi)any those from the ovary and fundus uteri and 

 terminate clii(!ny in the lumbar nodes. Tlic nerves of the ani))ullM an; given off from the 

 branches pas.sing to the ovary, while those of the isthmus come from the uterine branches. 



