Fallopian tube

Falling rod viscometer Fallopian tubes False teeth Falvin... 

As under most circumstances progesterone action will hold primacy over estrogenic effects, the cervical mucus, endometrium, and probably the fallopian tubes reflect progestational stimulation. The cervical mucus becomes thick and viscous and thus impervious to spermatozoa. The endometrium is in a state that is not receptive for implantation of a fertilized egg. Probably, the progestational impact on the secretory activity and peristalsis in the fallopian tubes also assists the general contraceptive effect. It is difficult, however, to assess the relative contribution of the various effects to the... 

The estrogens are secreted by the ovarian follicle and in smaller amounts by the adrenal cortex. Estrogens are important in the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and the primary and secondary sex characteristics. At puberty, they promote growth and development of the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and breasts. They also affect the release of pituitary gonadotropins (see Chap. 50). 

Other actions of estrogen include fluid retention, protein anabolism, thinning of the cervical mucus, and the inhibition or facilitation of ovulation. Estrogens contribute to the conservation of calcium and phosphorus, the growth of pubic and axillary hair, and pigmentation of the breast nipples and genitals. Estrogens also stimulate contraction of the fallopian tubes (which promotes movement of the ovum), modify the physical and chemical properties of the cervical mucus, and restore the endometrium after menstruation. 

In mammals, ciliated cells line the respiratory air passages, the fallopian tubes, and the ventricles of the brain. The cilia beat in a coordinated manner in waves that propel fluids, suspended cells, and small particles along a surface. The motility of the sperm cell is provided by a single flagellum. 

Dunn, R. L., Lewis, D. H., and Cowsar, D. R., A fibrous delivery system for quinacine A fallopian tube occluding agent, in Proc. 8th Int. Symp. Control. Rel. Bioact. Mater.,... 

The risk of hospitalization owing to symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease caused by gonorrheal infection is reduced in oral contraceptive users.14 While the exact protective mechanism is unknown, it is believed that thickening of the cervical mucus and/or reduction in the ability of pathogens to enter the fallopian tubes may contribute.1... 

FIGURE 91-1. Diagram of female reproductive tract (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina). Dashed-line box outlines what is removed during the total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH-BSO). 

Treatment involves surgical removal of one or both ovaries, the uterus, and fallopian tubes. Radiation is also commonly employed, which may consist of placing a radioactive liquid in the abdomen. Sometimes chemotherapy is also used along with CA 125 monitoring in response to therapy. 

Gonadotrophins are also used in assisted reproduction procedures. Here the aim is to administer therapeutic doses of FSH that exceed individual follicular FSH threshold requirements, thus stimulating multiple follicular growth. This, in turn, facilitates harvest of multiple eggs, which are then available for in vitro fertilization. This technique is often employed when a woman has a blocked fallopian tube or some other impediment to normal fertilization of the egg by a sperm cell. After treatment, the resultant eggs are collected, incubated in vitro with her partner s sperm, incubated in culture media until the embryonic blastocyst is formed, and then implanted into the mother s uterus. 

In primary peritonitis, bacteria may enter the abdomen via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, by transmigration through the bowel wall, through an indwelling peritoneal dialysis catheter, or via the fallopian tubes in females. 

The reproductive system includes the ovaries in the female and testes in the male, together with the ducts and tubes in which the ovum or spermatozoa travel and meet in the fallopian tube, and the environment in which the foetus develops. Since both ovary and testis produce hormones, there is overlap with the endocrine system (Chapters 12 and 19). 

The female reproductive system includes the two ovaries, two oviducts (also known as Fallopian tubes) a uteras and a vagina (Figure 19.5). 

The oviducts are also known as the Fallopian tubes or uterine tubes. The wall of the oviduct consists of three layers a mucosa, a muscular layer and an outer layer of connective tissue. When the ovum is released by the ovary, it is taken up by the oviduct. The ends of the oviducts are not directly attached to the ovaries but open into the abdominal cavity close to them. The opening of each is funnel-shaped and surrounded by long finger-like projections, fimbriae, with ciliated epithelium which catch the ovum as it is released. The other ends open directly into the uteras. The lower end of the latter is known as the cervix and opens into the vagina. 

Pecorelli S, Ray-Coquard I, Tredan O, Colombo N, Parma G Tisi G Katsaros D, Lhomme C, Lissoni AA, Vermorken JB, du Bois A, Poveda A, Frigerio L, Barbieri P, Carminati P, Brienza S, GuastaUa JP. (2010) Phase II of oral gimatecan in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer, previously treated with platinum and taxanes. Ann Oncol 21 759-765. 

In November 2005, a phase II/III study in NSCLC patients started in Australia and Canada, hi February 2006, Cediranib was undergoing a UK phase II/III trials in colorectal cancer. At that time, US phase II trials were underway in patients with advanced solid tumors, mesothelioma, melanoma, fiver, ovarian, peritoneal, fallopian tube, kidney, and breast cancers, hi May 2006, a US phase II trial began for neurofibromatosis type I and plexiform neurofibroma. 

LH secretion which induces rupture of the follicle and release of the mature egg into the fallopian tube. In the ovary a corpus luteum forms, which secretes progesterone (maximal at about day 21) to prepare the endometrium for implantation of an early embryo. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum involutes, progesterone levels fall, and the thickened endometrium is shed giving rise to menstrual bleeding, which is defined as starting on day 1 of the next cycle. 

At ovulation, the ovum, surrounded by the cumulus oophorus, is released from the ovary and moves down the fallopian tubes. As described above, ovulation follows a surge in LH, which causes luteinization of the granulosa cells of the follicle destined for ovulation. During ovulation, the oocyte enters the tubal lumen and is eventually moved to the site of fertilization. Since mating can occur at any time in the cycle in humans, the spermatozoa may be at the fallopian tubes at the time of ovulation, or the ovum may be at the fallopian tubes awaiting the arrival of the spermatozoa. 

After fertilization, in the isthmus of the fallopian tubes, the zygote moves to the uterus for implantation. Prostaglandins, catecholamines, estrogen and progesterone stimulate contractions of the smooth muscle in the walls of the fallopian tubes, which move the zygote to the uterus. 

The LH surge is the primary impetus for ovulation. During ovulation, the mature follicle ruptures, releasing the ovum from the ovary. At this point, the ovum should begin to travel toward the uterus via the fallopian tubes. The ruptured follicle remains in the ovary and continues to play a vital role in the reproductive cycle. After releasing the ovum, the follicle becomes infiltrated with lipids and is referred to as the corpus luteum (yellow body). The role of the corpus luteum is described next. 

Estrogens participate in the growth and development of muscular and mucosal elements of the uterus, the oviducts, and the fallopian tubes. 

In utero exposure of men to DES, a synthetic non-steroid estrogen, has been linked to increased incidence of meatal stenosis, epididymal cysts, testicular hypoplasia, cryptorchidism, microphallus, and sperm abnormalities (Henderson et al., 1976 Gill et al., 1977, 1979 Stillman, 1982). In females, adenosis, clear cell adenocarcinoma, and structural defects of the cervix, vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes have been linked to in utero exposure to DES (Stillman, 1982). 

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