The ultrastructural changes of the mucosa of blocked fallopian tubes

The ultrastructure of the epithelium was studied in four blocked fallopian tubes which differed in the site of blockage and the degree of luminal distension. In all four specimens, there were large areas of the luminal surface which became barren and devoid of both the secretory and ciliated cells. Necrotic secretory cells and partially sloughed ciliated cells were observed in the remaining epithelium. Isolated patches of attenuated epithelium decorated with ciliated cells were sometimes found in the crypt of the mucosal folds. Results of this study suggest that pathological changes in the epithelium are common to tubes of both the terminal and cornual blockage.