Tag: fallopian tube

The fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes or oviducts, are a pair of slender and flexible tubes in the female reproductive system. They connect the ovaries to the uterus and play a crucial role in the process of fertilization and early embryonic development.

During each menstrual cycle, an egg (ovum) is released from one of the ovaries and enters the fallopian tube. If fertilization occurs after sexual intercourse, it usually happens within the fallopian tube. The fertilized egg then travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus, where it may implant and develop into a pregnancy.

The fallopian tubes are lined with tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which help move the egg and facilitate its journey through the tube. Blockages or damage to the fallopian tubes can lead to infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.