Fallopian Tubes

What are fallopian tubes?

Your fallopian tubes are a pair of hollow, muscular ducts between your ovaries and uterus. These tubes allow a fertilized egg to travel to your uterus, where it can implant. Some people call them “uterine tubes.”

Your fallopian tubes are a part of your reproductive anatomy. They play a key role in fertility.

What is the function of the fallopian tubes?

Your fallopian tubes play an important role in conception and pregnancy. You can think of a fallopian tube as:

• A holding place for your egg: If you have a menstrual cycle, one of your ovaries releases a mature egg during ovulation. Finger-like structures at the end of your fallopian tube (fimbriae) sweep the egg into the tube.
• The site where fertilization happens: Sperm travel to your fallopian tubes to reach an egg. Fertilization happens in your fallopian tubes when an egg and sperm meet.
• A passageway to your uterus: The tube helps “push” a fertilized egg (embryo) along until it reaches your uterus. There, it can implant and eventually grow into a fetus.

Where are your fallopian tubes?

Most females are born with two fallopian tubes. Each tube comes off the upper side of your uterus and ends near an ovary.

What are the parts?

A fallopian tube has four parts:

• Infundibulum: The funnel-like portion that’s closest to your ovaries. It includes finger-like structures called fimbriae that reach out toward the ovary. The fimbriae catch an egg once your ovary releases it. They sweep it gently into your fallopian tube.
• Ampulla: The major channel in your fallopian tube between the infundibulum and the isthmus. Fertilization most often happens here.
• Isthmus: A tiny channel that connects the ampulla to the portion that’s closest to your uterus, the intramural portion.
• Intramural (interstitial) portion: The part that extends into the top of your uterus. It opens into your uterine cavity.

Each fallopian tube is between 4 and 5 inches long and between 0.2 and 0.6 inches in diameter.

What are they made of?

Your fallopian tubes consist of a thin mucous membrane and layers of muscle. The delicate mucous lining releases fluids. It maintains an environment where fertilization can happen and an embryo can develop.

Small hair-like structures in the lining (cilia) sway. Your fallopian tubes also have a muscular wall with varied layers. Together, the cilia and muscles help move eggs, sperm and an embryo through the tube.

What conditions affect the fallopian tubes?

You may have trouble getting pregnant if there’s a blockage in your fallopian tubes or a structural issue. Up to 1 in 3 infertility cases are due to issues with the fallopian tubes. This is called tubal factor infertility.

Conditions that can affect your fallopian tubes include:

• Ectopic pregnancy: An embryo implants in your fallopian tubes instead of your uterus. These pregnancies aren’t viable and can be life-threatening without treatment.
• Endometriosis: Out-of-place tissue from your uterine lining can affect your tubes.
• Fallopian tube cancer: Some types of cancer previously diagnosed as ovarian cancer may actually begin in your fallopian tubes.
• Fibroids: Fibroids most commonly grow in your uterus. But they can surface in your fallopian tubes, too.
• Hydrosalpinx: A fluid build-up can happen when scar tissue blocks the tubes following an injury or infection.
• Paratubal cysts: These fluid-filled cysts form near your ovaries and fallopian tubes. They’re noncancerous and very common. Unless they’re very large, they don’t typically cause symptoms or need treatment.
• Salpingitis: An infection can cause inflammation in your fallopian tubes. Salpingitis is a type of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Signs that something isn’t working right

The most common sign of issues with your fallopian tubes is infertility. You may have other symptoms, like:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Pain during intercourse
• Painful periods
• Pelvic pain

If you’re dealing with infertility or have other symptoms, see a healthcare provider. They can recommend tests to check the health of your fallopian tubes, like:

• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
• Hysteroscopy
• Sonohysterogram

Can you get pregnant with one fallopian tube?

Yes. If you have at least one healthy fallopian tube and ovary, it’s still possible to get pregnant even if they’re not on the same side. You can also get pregnant with no fallopian tubes through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

How can I keep my fallopian tubes healthy?

Many conditions that affect your fallopian tubes are out of your control. But you can take steps to prevent infections that can damage your fallopian tubes. Practicing safer sex can reduce your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can lead to PID (pelvic inflammatory disease).