 Hey everybody, Dr. O here. This video we're going to talk about the uterine tubes, also called the fallopian tubes or the overduck. So uterine tube is probably the best term, but I kind of use them all interchangeably. The job of the uterine tube is to take the oocyte that's come from the follicle released by the ovary and transport it to the uterus that way. So if that oocyte is fertilized and becomes a zygote, it will take care of the zygote as it divides into two cells and then four and then eight on the way to the uterus for implantation. First thing to note here, we'll talk about the three parts of the uterine tube, but the uterine tube is not directly connected to the ovary. I find that a little bit odd because that means that oocytes could potentially be released and not make it through the uterine tube. It actually falls somewhere else in the down public cavity, and that does happen, but they are not directly connected. The three main parts of the uterine tube, we have the infundibulum, which is the large area that has these finger-like extensions called fimbray on them that is directly or near, not touching connect directly, but near the ovary. That's called the infundibulum. Then you have the ampula, which is right there in the middle, and then the isthmus is the portion of the uterine tube that connects to the uterus. Probably the key thing to note here is that fertilization, if it is going to occur, should generally occur 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, which means that the sperm should meet the egg and fertilize it somewhere in that ampula of the uterine tube is where it normally is going to occur. It can happen. It doesn't have to be exactly 12 to 24 hours, but that's going to be typical. The most important thing to note structurally about the uterine tube is that they are mucus producing cells, but they also are ciliated cells, and there is smooth muscle contraction. The reason that's so important is because unlike the sperm that have flagella, oocytes can't move on their own. Ciliated cells and smooth muscle contractions have to carry the oocyte towards the uterus with these waves of contraction moving fluid along. We talked about how the uterine tube is going to receive the oocyte after ovulation and carry it there. These smooth muscle contractions, they're going to contract every four to eight seconds milking the oocyte down towards the uterus, and that's going to be if there's fertilization, it will carry those cells. Let's look at where this would occur. Again, somewhere in the ampula of the uterine tube is where you're going to see fertilization usually. This image here shows it actually real close to the infundibulum. Others would say it'd be closer to the isthmus, but somewhere in the middle of the uterine tube, that ampula is where you'd see fertilization. You have the oocyte, meets an egg, we now have a fertilized egg, which becomes a zygote, and then we have two cells, four cells, eight cells as this cluster of cells grows and travels through the uterus, tell it implants, and then the uterus will take care of it. If that doesn't happen, if the oocyte doesn't come into contact with the sperm, isn't fertilized, the oocyte will just degrade and break down and it'll be shed with the next menstrual cycle, or next menstrual period. All right, so that's everything you need to know about the uterine tubes or fallopian tubes. I hope this helps. Have a wonderful day. Be blessed.