[Functional morphology of the fallopian tube]

Human fallopian tubes were examined after injection with epoxy rems, after formation of tissue blocks, and after sectioning the blocks with a diamond saw. Calibers of arteries and veins were measured in these transparent sections. Fallopian cubes of women in the reproductive phase of life receive their blood mainly from the ovarian artery, while those of postmenopausal women predominantly get their blood from the uterine artery. There are special arterial cushions around the intramural part of the tube, around the abdominal os of the tube, and within the mucosal folds of the ampulla. The hypothesis is advanced that the cushions may play a role as sphincters, and in the case of the mucosal folds as an arterial, pulse-triggered pump for egg transport. The ovarian fimbria contains muscle bundles which may be important for the capture of the egg.