Anatomy of the Fallopian Tube and Ovaries

Anatomy of the Fallopian Tube, Ovaries, and Vagina

• The fallopian tube is located on each side of the uterus.
• Each tube is approximately 10 cm (4 inches) long.
• Each fallopian tube has a medial (uterine) end and a lateral (ovarian) end.
• Parts of the fallopian tube include the interstitial part, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum.
• The fallopian tube carries the ovum (egg) from the ovary to the uterus.
• The medial portion of the fallopian tube is supplied by branches of the uterine artery.
• The lateral portion of the fallopian tube is supplied by the ovarian artery.
• Lymphatic drainage of the fallopian tube is to pre-aortic and para-aortic lymph nodes.
• Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tube.
• The ovary is ovoid, roughly 3 cm by 2 cm by 1 cm in size.
• Ovaries are located in the ovarian fossa, between the internal and external iliac arteries.
• The ovary produces ova and secretes female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
• The ovary is attached medially by the ovarian ligament to the uterus, laterally by the suspensory ligament and the broad ligament spans the ovary to the fallopian tubes.
• The ovary is covered by peritoneum, including its mesovarium and the lateral surface related to the obturator nerve and vessels.
• The surface of the ovary is covered by peritoneum, particularly the lateral surface. The medial surface is related to the fimbria of the fallopian tube.
• Ovaries have an attached border (anterior) which provides attachment to mesovarium and the hilum. Its hilum receives ovarian blood vessels. The posterior border (free border) is directed away from the uterus.
• The vagina is a canal that links the uterus to the vestibule (outside).
• The vagina is directed upwards and backwards.
• The anterior vaginal wall is about 3 inches long.
• The posterior vaginal wall is about 4 inches long.
• The vagina is related anteriorly to the base of the urinary bladder and the urethra.
• The upper one-third of the posterior vaginal wall is associated with the peritoneum of the Douglas pouch.
• The middle one-third is close to the lower portion of the rectum.
• The lower one-third is directly related to the perineal body.
• Vaginal arteries include the vaginal, uterine, middle rectal, and internal pudendal arteries.
• Lymphatic drainage from the upper vagina is to the internal and external iliac lymph nodes. The middle portion drains to the internal iliac nodes.

Vagina (continued)

• The lateral vaginal wall: The upper third is related to the lateral fornix and the uterine artery. The ureter crosses the uterine artery above the vagina. The middle third of the vagina is related to the levator ani muscle. The lower third is close to the greater vestibular glands.

Blood Supply

• The ovary receives blood from the ovarian artery, which enters through the suspensory ligament, travels through the mesovarium, then reaches the ovary.
• The uterine artery freely anastomoses with the ovarian artery.

Venous Drainage

• Venous drainage from the ovary forms a pampiniform plexus. This plexus leads to an ovarian vein. The right ovarian vein flows into the inferior vena cava (IVC). The left ovarian vein flows into the left renal vein.

Lymphatic Drainage

• The lymphatic drainage of the vagina and ovaries is to the para-aortic lymph nodes. Lymphatics also pass to the inguinal lymph nodes via the round ligament.