Oviduct

The oviducts are a pair of tubes that run from near each ovary to the uterus’s apex. Fallopian tubes are named after the sixteenth-century anatomist Fallopius. 

Each oviduct is roughly 10 cm (4 in) length and has a drinking straw-sized diameter. 

Along its length, an oviduct can be separated into many parts. The oviductal infundibulum is a funnel-shaped region near the ovary. 

The ostium is the aperture into the infundibulum via which the ovulated egg enters. 

The fimbriae are finger-like projections on the infundibulum’s margins. 

The ovum is collected by the infundibulum and enters the oviduct due to cilia on the oviductal lining that beat in a uterine direction when ovulation occurs. 

As the tube approaches the uterus, it passes through a large oviductal ampulla, a narrower oviductal isthmus, and finally the intramural oviduct, which is implanted within the uterine wall. 

The uterotubal junction is the place where the oviduct empties into the uterine cavity.

Each oviduct has three layers in cross section:

(1) The oviductal serosa is a thin membrane that surrounds the oviduct.

(2) Smooth muscle makes up the middle layer (the oviductal muscularis). This muscle helps carry the ovum and, ultimately, the early embryo toward the uterus by contracting.

These contractions occur 4–8 seconds apart near ovulation, but they are less frequent throughout other periods of the menstrual cycle.

(3) The oviduct’s interior lining, which has multiple folds and ciliated and nonciliated cells as well as mucous glands on the internal surface, is the third layer. 

Ovum and embryo transfer, as well as sperm migration up the oviduct, are aided by iliary beating and mucus secretion.

Ovarian function is influenced by hormones.

Estrogens stimulate mucus secretion in the oviducts, as well as a faster beating of the oviductal cilia and more frequent contractions of the smooth muscle. 

Progesterone, on the other hand, decreases both mucous secretion and muscle contraction.

Inflammation of the oviduct

Salpingitis, or inflammation of the oviducts, can cause scar tissue to clog the oviducts, resulting in infertility .

The word salpinx, which means “tube” in Greek, is the source of this phrase. In rare circumstances, tubal obstruction can be treated with microsurgery.

The oviducts are surgically removed during a salpingectomy. 

Tubal sterilisation (surgically cutting, tying off, or blocking the oviducts) is a method of contraception.

Development of Oviducts

The oviduct, also known as the Fallopian tube in women, is a paired reproductive organ. 

The oviduct is the route for egg and embryo transport to the uterus and the location of fertilisation in mature mammals. 

The ovulated oocyte enters the oviduct through the infundibulum, which is the oviduct’s most anterior area, and passes through the ampulla, which has many longitudinal epithelial folds and many cilia to aid in oocyte transport. 

The zygote will move via the isthmus region of the oviduct after fertilisation.

 In comparison to the ampulla, the isthmus has fewer epithelial folds and cilia, but thicker smooth muscle layers. 

The zygote must go through the uterotubal junction to enter the uterine horn/body after leaving the oviduct. 

This valve is controlled by ovarian hormones and governs the passage of spermatozoa/zygotes between the oviduct and the uterus.

Fluid in the oviduct

Tubal fluid fills the oviducts, which not only nourishes and protects the pre-implantation embryo but also helps embryo movement to the implantation site. 

Variations in fluid volume, as well as protein content and concentration, impact the pace of fluid flow. 

These fluctuations are caused by excretions from the oviductal epithelium’s secretory cells, as well as selective diffusion of plasma from the nearby artery, a process known as “transudation” . (Leese, 1988).

The volume of oviductal fluid differs between species and within each stage of the estrous cycle. 

Oviductal fluid production is highest during estrus and lowest during diestrus in animals.

Ovary

The ovaries, which are the main female sex organs, create the female gamete as well as various hormones.

These organs, one on each side of the lower abdomen, are positioned on both sides.

Each ovary is 2 to 4 cm long and has ligaments connecting it to the uterus and pelvic wall.

The ovary is separated into two zones by a thin epithelium that surrounds the ovarian stroma and is divided into outer cortex and inner medulla.

Ovarian follicles at various stages of development make up the cortex. The ovarian follicle is the primary unit of the female reproductive system.

Each oviduct is made up of three anatomical regions: the ampulla, isthmus, and infundibulum.

Uterus

The womb is another name for the uterus. It’s a muscled, inverted pear-shaped organ in the female reproductive system.

The three layers that make up the uterus’s walls are the inside glandular layer, the middle thick layer, and the outer thin layer.

These three layers are maintained by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall, which finally open into the vagina from a little cervix.

The cervical canal and the vaginal canal combine to form the birth canal. The vagina is a muscular tube that connects the lower end of the uterus to the outer world.

Fallopian tube

The fallopian tubes, also known as the oviducts/uterine tubes, are female reproductive system structures. 

Every month, they play a critical role in carrying the ova or egg released as a result of ovulation from the ovary into the lumen (central channel) of the uterus. 

In the event of fertilisation due to the presence of sperms, the fallopian tubes convey the fertilised egg to the uterus for secure implantation.

Other female reproductive system structures include the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina.

Conclusion

The oviducts are a pair of tubes that run from near each ovary to the uterus’s apex. Fallopian tubes are named after the sixteenth-century anatomist Fallopius. 

Each oviduct is roughly 10 cm (4 in) length and has a drinking straw-sized diameter. 

Along its length, an oviduct can be separated into many parts. The oviductal infundibulum is a funnel-shaped region near the ovary. 

The ostium is the aperture into the infundibulum via which the ovulated egg enters. 

The fimbriae are finger-like projections on the infundibulum’s margins. 

The ovum is collected by the infundibulum and enters the oviduct due to cilia on the oviductal lining that beat in a uterine direction when ovulation occurs.