Fallopian Tube

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Fallopian Tube Photos

The fallopian tubes are long, thin tubes about as big around as a pencil that come from the side of the uterus. They function to collect and transport the egg from the ovary to the inside of the uterus, where it can implant and begin developing. The ends of the fallopian tubes, called "fimbria," collect the egg, while tiny hairlike fibers called cilia transport it towards the uterus. Fallopian tubes can develop a number of problems, including cysts, inflammation (infection), scar tissue (called adhesions), tubal ectopic pregnancies, and, in extremely rare situations, even cancer. Surgery on the tubes is usually undertaken through a laparoscope, a thin tube inserted into the belly button. The tubes can be tied when a woman does not want anymore children. Actually, the tubes are almost never just tied. They are often tied then cut, or burned, or clipped, or have constricting rings placed on them. Other surgical procedures can cut scar tissue, remove tubal pregnancies, open the ends of the tubes, and even tie them back together (although this last surgery does not always work and is very expensive).

Click on the hyperlink below to view the larger JPG images

Hydrosalpinx
This is a photo taken during laparoscopy of a swollen Fallopian tube, also called a hydrosalpinx. The ovary is seen hiding behind the cyst at the lower left of the photo. The cyst is about as big as a golf ball, and is actually bigger than the ovary. This is usually caused by damage to the tube from infection. It was drained and the patient's symptoms, which consisted of pain, resolved.

Unruptured Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy
This photo was taken during laparoscopy. The uterus is the larger, pink object being held up by the instrument towards the upper left part of the photo. The unruptured ectopic pregnancy is the blue-black mass in the lower, right of the photo, next to the long instrument. It was about the size of a walnut, and due to the damage to the tube, was treated by complete removal of the tube.

Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy -WARNING- very graphic photo.
This is a photo taken during laparoscopy of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy at about 8 weeks gestational age. The tube is at the upper left of the photo, and is held up with a tubular probe. The fetus is "upside down" with the head pointing towards the intestines. The left eye of the fetus is clearly visible, as is the left arm and leg. You can see the tube, which has literally exploded, expelling the fetus into the abdominal cavity. There was about
600cc (20 ounces) of blood in the abdomen, and the fetus had already died. Most ectopic pregnancies that rupture do not result in the expulsion of a fetus this size. Most actually rupture without an obvious fetus, just lacental tissue. This patient was treated by removing the fetus, entire left fallopian
tube, and removing the blood. Since she was treated by laparoscopy, she went home later that day.

Tubal Ligation (initial step using endoloop)
This laparoscopic photo shows a modified Pomeroy tubal ligation method.
The tube is tied with a "lasso" of suture, then cut (see below). This is only
one way of performing a tubal ligation. Other methods include placing clips
or bands, or burning the tubes.

Tubal Ligation (cutting step)
In this step of the Pomeroy tubal ligation, the knuckle of tube is held with a grasping device, and cut with small scissors. The excised segment is pulled from the body. The suture is seen hanging from the bottom of the tube. It dissolves in a week or so, and the ends of the tube fall away from each other. The distance between the tubes then prevents pregnancy.