Tubal Reversal: Anatomy

The Fallopian tubes are paired muscular canals which extend from the lateral corners of the uterus to the ovaries. Each tube is 10 to 12 cm in length. The tube is divided into four segments; The interstitial portion which extends through the uterine muscle wall; the isthmic portion which is very narrow and muscular; the ampullary portion is the longest segment with a thin muscular wall; and the infundibular portion is the terminal end of the fallopian tube.

Physiology

The fallopian tube is where the egg is fertilized by the sperm. The sperm enters the uterus following intercourse, travels through the isthmic portion of the tube and ascends to the ampullary segment of the tube. The egg enters the infundibular or fimbriated end of the tube after being released from the ovary and descends into the tube. Fertilization of the egg occurs in the ampullary segment of the tube and over the next 3-5 days, as the embryo grows and develops, it travels back down the tube, enters the uterus, implants, and pregnancy is established.

Any surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes and prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg is a tubal ligation.