Fimbriae Of The Uterine Tube: Anatomy & Function

What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the fimbriae?

Damaged fimbriae can cause infertility. Without the ability to move freely, your fimbriae can’t nudge an egg into your fallopian tube. If these finger-like extensions can’t open, your fallopian tubes can become blocked, preventing an egg from journeying through your fallopian tubes or being fertilized by sperm.

Conditions associated with infertility include:

• Salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes): Salpingitis is a type of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that often results from an untreated bacterial infection. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common causes. Your fimbriae can get damaged and fuse as part of your body’s healing response to fight the infection.
• Pyosalpinx: Pyosalpinx is a condition where pus collects in your fallopian tube. It’s more common when your fimbriae are fused.
• Hydrosalpinx: With a hydrosalpinx, fluid collects in your fallopian tube. As with a pyosalpinx, it’s more common when fimbriae are fused so fluids can’t escape.

The fimbriae are associated with some ovarian cancers. Research suggests that most ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) originate in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries. They most likely originate in the fimbriae.

What are some common tests to check the health of the fimbriae?

The tests commonly used to check your fallopian tubes also reveal information about your fimbriae. The tests can show whether your tubes are blocked:

• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An x-ray dye test that shows how fluids flow inside your tubes.
• Hysterosalpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy): An ultrasound that uses a special contrast medium or air bubbles to show flow inside your tubes.
• Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure that uses a small lighted camera to view your fallopian tubes. Sometimes a healthcare provider may insert a dye through your tubes during the procedure to see if the dye can move freely or if there are blockages. This is called chromopertubation.

What are some common treatments for the fimbriae?

As part of a salpingostomy (neosalpingostomy), your healthcare provider may also perform a fimbrioplasty. A salpingostomy drains excess fluid from your fallopian tubes and repairs any damage. Fimbrioplasty repairs your fimbriae in particular, rebuilding them so that they can move freely. These procedures are rare, and not everyone is a candidate for them.