What is the function of the fallopian tubes?

Within the female reproductive system, we find the fallopian tubes, female internal tubes that are vital during the conception of an embryo since they help us to unite the ovum with the sperm, therefore, without them there would be no possibility that a woman will get pregnant. In this article we are going to discover what the function of the fallopian tubes is so that you understand why it is an essential element for human reproduction. Keep reading and you will discover what this part of the woman”s body is for.

What are the fallopian tubes?

The fallopian tubes begin in the uterus and extend to each of the two ovaries that women have on the left and right side of the vagina. They are two very thin tubes that are responsible for transporting the eggs that are shed during menstruation and taking them to the uterus area; in the same way, it is also the path that sperm follow in order to fertilize the ovum and, therefore, make pregnancy possible.

They usually measure about 8 or 10 centimeter”s in length and at the two ends are the fimbriae, that is, a kind of fringes that join the ovaries and that act as a funnel to receive the ovum that is released each month.

The name “Fallopian” was given when in the 16th century the Italian anatomist Garbiele Fallopio discovered this part of the female body that is vital for the procreation of species.

Its main function

Now we are going to discover what the function of the fallopian tubes is so that you fully understand why they are essential for reproduction. On the one hand, this area of ​​the female body is responsible for sucking the ovum that, with each menstrual cycle, leaves the ovary and can transport it to the uterus. This path along the duct can occur because this tube is responsible for making a series of contractions that allow the oocyte to travel the entire area and reach the uterus easily. This displacement along the tubes can also be due to the cyclists, a hair that covers the walls of these tubes and that are responsible for pushing the ovum and, therefore, promoting its journey towards the uterus.

In addition, we must not forget that the fertilization of the ovum always occurs when it is traveling through the tube, never in the uterus because when it arrives here it falls apart. Therefore, the sperm must find the oocyte on its way through these tubes in order to fertilize it and, if necessary, it will remain in this area for 48 or 72 hours more before reaching the uterus, where the uterus will begin to grow. embryo.

Thus, the essential function of the fallopian tubes is to communicate the ovaries with the uterus and to be the place where the ovum can be fertilized. The journey of the oocyte through these tubes usually lasts from 24 to 72 hours and, later, when it reaches the uterus and has not been fertilized, then it disintegrates and is when women experience menstruation with the appearance of blood and discomfort in the area of the lower abdomen.

It is for this reason that, when there is a fertility problem, the doctor will check the health of the tubes and assess that they are in optimal condition, that is, that they are not infected, obstructed, inflamed, etc., because these situations could prevent for a woman to get pregnant. This test is performed through hysterosalpingography, a gynecological test that is based on observing this part of the body by introducing a device vaginally.

Diseases that can affect the fallopian tubes

Now we know the function of the fallopian tubes, therefore, below we are going to discover some of the most common diseases that can take place in this area of ​​the female body and that, therefore, can affect fertility or pregnancy. Next we are going to discover the 2 most common conditions in this part of the body:

Salpingitis

When the fallopian tubes are inflamed is when we talk about this disease that, if not treated in time, can end up causing sterility in a woman. This condition is usually caused by an STD (sexually transmitted disease) such as chlamydia; In this article we will tell you how to treat chlamydia so that you can cure it in time and avoid any complications.

The most common symptoms of this condition are pain in the pelvic area, discomfort during ovulation, the appearance of bleeding outside of menstruation, fever, nausea and general malaise. In any of these cases, it is essential that you go to a gynecologists” for a check-up.

Ectopic pregnancy

When an ovum fertilized in the fallopian tubes cannot continue to descend to the uterus, it remains blocked in the tubes and, here, it can begin to develop but, obviously, this area of ​​the body is not ready for a child to begin to grow and, therefore, an abortion must be performed by means of a surgical intervention or by taking medications. In this article we tell you about the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy and in this other we help you to know if you have a pregnancy of these characteristics.