A Comparative Study on Segmental Micro-Anatomy of the Human Fallopian Tube

Abstract

Background: The Fallopian tubes serve as a bridge between the ovary and uterus and is divided into infundibular, ampullary, isthmic, and intramural segments from lateral to medial. Each segment is structurally and functionally equipped to perform specific functions. The maintenance of normal micro-anatomy of each segment is very important for successful spontaneous pregnancy. This study has compared the histological features of the isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum. Materials and Methods: Tissue bits were taken from isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum of Fallopian tubes of 100 women of reproductive age group and these were subjected to routine histological processing, and slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The mean value of the number of primary mucosal folds and muscle thickness of each segment was calculated and compared with each other. Results: In the ampullary and infundibular region, there were primary, secondary, and tertiary folds with a mean value of 33.42 ± 4.49 and 31.53 ± 4.92, respectively. In the region of the isthmus, there were few primary mucosal folds with a mean value of 8.31 ± 0.9. The muscular layer was found thickest inthe isthmus with a mean value of 7.72 ± 0.76 mm and in the region of ampulla and infundibulum, the mean values were 4.39 ± 0.57 mm and 3.43 ± 0.48 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The ampullary region has maximum number of branching mucosal folds which ensure close contact with the developing embryo and provides nutrition. At infundibulum also there were numerous mucosal folds which help in accommodating the large number of ciliated cells which plays a major role in ovum pick up and transport as the muscle layer was found to be very thin in this region. The peristaltic contraction of thick muscle layer in the isthmus plays a very important role in the transport of embryo as only a few mucosal folds were found in this region.