a-short-review-of-histology

The Uterine Tube:

The uterine tube is a muscular tube which lies between the two layers of peritoneum of the broad ligament
Its lateral end is open and funnel-like
This end overlies the ovary and has a number of processes (fimbriae) which spread over the surface of the ovary
The medial end joins the uterus
The surface of the fimbriae, and the lumen of the uterine tube, is covered with a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
There are numerous mucous secreting cells interspersed between the ciliated cells
The cilia beat to promote the passage of ovum/spermatozoa/early zygote along the uterine tube
The mucus secreting cells secrete mucous to support, and provide nutrition for, the ovum/spermatozoa/early zygote
The wall of the uterine tube has two layers of smooth muscle whose peristaltic action assists in the passage of the ovum/spermatozoa/early zygote

Micrograph of Uterine Tube 1:

Micrograph of Uterine Tube 2:

The dilated 'ampulla' of the uterine tube
It is in this dilated part of the uterine tube that fertilisation, and the early development of the zygote take place