Uterine tube-ovary relationship and fimbrial development during the fetal period.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the position, localization and development of the uterine tubes and their relationships to the ovaries.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-four uterine tubes and ovaries taken from 77 human fetuses aged between 9-40 weeks of gestation have been included in this study. The study was performed in Department of Anatomy of Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey in 2004. The position and localization of the uterine tubes have been determined. Consequently, uterine tube - ovary relationship and fimbrial development has been investigated.


RESULTS
It has been observed that the uterine tubes are transversely and obliquely positioned. The most commonly observed position was transverse position. When the relationship between the uterine tubes and ovaries was explored, it was observed that the ovaries were localized in the superior, anterior or posterior aspect of the uterine tubes. In addition, when relationship between the obliquely positioned uterine tubes and ovaries was assessed, we found that the ovaries are located at the middle, anterior, lateral or posterior of uterine tubes. Furthermore, it indicates that the fimbrial development begins only after the 20th week and the quantity of fimbriae increased by gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the uterine tubes are not positioned as in adults during the fetal period, some variants can be seen in the uterine tube - ovary relationship and fimbrial development begins after the 20th week of gestational age and continued after birth.
Sulak
Osman
O
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University School of Medicine, Isparta 32260, Turkey. osmansulak@yahoo.com
Malas
Mehmet A
MA
Esen
Kadriye
K
Cetin
Esra
E
Ungor
Bahadir
B
Tagil
Suleyman M
SM
D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology*