Uterine tubes
Uterine tubes, also known as the Fallopian tubes, serve as a connection between the ovaries and the uterus. It is where fertilization usually takes place.

Cross section of a Fallopian tube with decidualization. H&E stain. (WC/euthman)
This was ignored in the past... current thinking is that it may be the real culprit in what is often labeled as "ovarian cancer".[1]
Normal uterine tube
Architecture:
- Finger-like projections into the lumen.
Cells:
- Ciliated cell.
- Columnar.
- Eosinophilic cytoplasm.
- Non-ciliated cell (AKA Peg cell).
- Nucleus more luminal.
- Nuclei stick-out like a golf tee.
- Nucleus more luminal.
- Secretory cells. (???)
- Basal cells, fried egg-like.
See also:
Images
www:
Overview
Benign lesions
Benign neoplasm
Pre-malignant
Malignant diagnoses
- Serous carcinoma.
- Endometrioid adenocarcinoma.[3]
Ditzels
Main article: Ditzels
Paratubal cyst
- Also known as Hydatid cyst of Morgagni and Hydatid of Morgagni.
General
Gross
- Thin walled-cyst with serous fluid.
Microscopic
Features:
- Simple cyst with ciliated (tubal) epithelium.
Sign out
PARATUBAL CYST, RIGHT, EXCISION: - BENIGN SIMPLE CYST.
No epithelium
PARATUBAL CYST, LEFT, EXCISION: - BENIGN FIBROUS TISSUE COMPATIBLE WITH CYST WALL.
Tubal ligation
- Abbreviated TL.
General
- Done to control fertility.
Microscopic
See normal uterine tube.
DDx:
- Salpingitis - inflammatory cells.
- Serous carcinoma - nuclear atypia (marked), nuclear pleomorphism, prominent nucleoli.
- Tubal intraepithelial carcinoma - discrete papillary growth, loss of nuclear polarity, nuclear atypia.
- Endometriosis.
Sign out
Left then right
A. Fallopian Tube, Left, Tubal Ligation: - Fallopian tube within normal limits, consistent with complete cross sections. B. Fallopian Tube, Right, Tubal Ligation: - Fallopian tube within normal limits, consistent with complete cross sections.
A. FALLOPIAN TUBE, LEFT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS, CONSISTENT WITH COMPLETE CROSS SECTIONS. B. FALLOPIAN TUBE, RIGHT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS, CONSISTENT WITH COMPLETE CROSS SECTIONS.
A. FALLOPIAN TUBE, LEFT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. B. FALLOPIAN TUBE, RIGHT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
Right then left
A. Fallopian Tube, Right, Tubal Ligation: - Fallopian tube within normal limits, consistent with complete cross sections. B. Fallopian Tube, Left, Tubal Ligation: - Fallopian tube within normal limits, consistent with complete cross sections.
A. FALLOPIAN TUBE, RIGHT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS, CONSISTENT WITH COMPLETE CROSS SECTIONS. B. FALLOPIAN TUBE, LEFT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS, CONSISTENT WITH COMPLETE CROSS SECTIONS.
A. FALLOPIAN TUBE, RIGHT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. B. FALLOPIAN TUBE, LEFT, TUBAL LIGATION: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
Both in one container
Submitted as "Fallopian Tubes Right and Left", Tubal Ligation: - Pieces of Fallopian tube within normal limits, consistent with complete cross sections.
Incomplete cross sections at microscopy
Submitted as "Right and Left Fallopian Tubes", Tubal Ligation: - Fallopian tubes within normal limits, incomplete cross sections seen at microscopy; clinical correlation is suggested.
Mild inflammation
Submitted as "Fallopian Tubes Right and Left", Tubal Ligation: - Pieces of Fallopian tube with mild inflammation otherwise within normal limits, consistent with complete cross sections.
Surgical resection of previous tubal ligation
LEFT FALLOPIAN TUBE AND OVARY, LEFT SALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY: - FALLOPIAN TUBE WITH PARATUBAL CYSTS AND FOCAL FIBROSIS. - OVARY WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
Specific diagnoses
Salpingitis
- Also suppurative salpingitis.
- Also granulomatous salpingitis.
General
- Benign.
- May be part of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Microscopic
Features:
- Inflammatory cells:
- Neutrophils = acute.
- Lymphocytes and plasma cells = chronic.
- +/-Granulomas; known as granulomatous salpingitis.
- +/-Clusters of neutrophils = abscess; known as suppurative salpingitis.
Images
Stains
If organisms are seen on routine stains:
- Gram stain +ve/-ve.
Granulomatous inflammation:
- Ziehl-Neelsen stain +ve/-ve.
- GMS stain +ve/-ve.
- PASD stain +ve/-ve.
Ectopic pregnancy
Main article: Ectopic pregnancy
Adenofibroma
General
- Rare.[6]
- More frequently seen than in the past -- presumably as pathologists are looking more closely at the Fallopian tube.
- Cannot be disguished from ovarian adenofibroma.[6]
Gross
- Solid, nodular.
Microscopic
Features:[6]
- Stroma + glandular elements.
- Glandular elements: secretory cells and ciliated cells.
IHC
Features:
- Stroma:[6]
- CD10 +ve.
- Inhibin +ve.
Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
General
- Associated with infertility and ectopic pregnancy.[9]
- SIN is uncommonly bilateral.[10]
Diagnosis (clinical):
- Hysterosalpingography.[11]
- Finding: diverticula.
Notes:
- The male cousin of this is: vasitis nodosa.
Microscopic
Features:[12]
- Nodular thickening of the tunica muscularis of the isthmic portion.
- Cystically dilated glands.
- +/-Complete obliteration of tubal lumen.
Images:
Adenomatoid tumour
See: Adenomatoid tumours (uterine tumours).
General
- Relatively common tumour of the fallopian tube.[13]
Microscopic
See: Adenomatoid tumours (uterine tumours).
Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma
Main article: Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma
See also
References
- ↑ Hirst, JE.; Gard, GB.; McIllroy, K.; Nevell, D.; Field, M. (Jul 2009). "High rates of occult fallopian tube cancer diagnosed at prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.". Int J Gynecol Cancer 19 (5): 826-9. doi:10.1111/IGC.0b013e3181a1b5dc. PMID 19574767.
- ↑ URL: http://faculty.une.edu/com/abell/histo/histolab3f.htm. Accessed on: 18 October 2011.
- ↑ Navani, SS.; Alvarado-Cabrero, I.; Young, RH.; Scully, RE. (Dec 1996). "Endometrioid carcinoma of the fallopian tube: a clinicopathologic analysis of 26 cases.". Gynecol Oncol 63 (3): 371-8. doi:10.1006/gyno.1996.0338. PMID 8946874.
- ↑ Thakore, SS.; Chun, MJ.; Fitzpatrick, K. (Aug 2012). "Recurrent ovarian torsion due to paratubal cysts in an adolescent female.". J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 25 (4): e85-7. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2011.10.012. PMID 22840942.
- ↑ Muolokwu, E.; Sanchez, J.; Bercaw, JL.; Sangi-Haghpeykar, H.; Banszek, T.; Brandt, ML.; Dietrich, JE. (Nov 2011). "Paratubal cysts, obesity, and hyperandrogenism.". J Pediatr Surg 46 (11): 2164-7. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2011.07.011. PMID 22075351.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Bossuyt, V.; Medeiros, F.; Drapkin, R.; Folkins, AK.; Crum, CP.; Nucci, MR. (Jul 2008). "Adenofibroma of the fimbria: a common entity that is indistinguishable from ovarian adenofibroma.". Int J Gynecol Pathol 27 (3): 390-7. doi:10.1097/PGP.0b013e3181639a82. PMID 18580316.
- ↑ Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 27th Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- ↑ URL: http://www.medcyclopaedia.com/library/topics/volume_iv_2/s/salpingitis_isthmica_nodosa.aspx. Accessed on: 28 July 2010.
- ↑ Jenkins, CS.; Williams, SR.; Schmidt, GE. (Oct 1993). "Salpingitis isthmica nodosa: a review of the literature, discussion of clinical significance, and consideration of patient management.". Fertil Steril 60 (4): 599-607. PMID 8405510.
- ↑ Skibsted, L.; Sperling, L.; Hansen, U.; Hertz, J. (Jul 1991). "Salpingitis isthmica nodosa in female infertility and tubal diseases.". Hum Reprod 6 (6): 828-31. PMID 1757522.
- ↑ URL: http://radiology.rsna.org/content/154/3/597.abstract. Accessed on: 28 July 2010.
- ↑ Chawla, N.; Kudesia, S.; Azad, S.; Singhal, M.; Rai, SM.. "Salpingitis isthmica nodosa.". Indian J Pathol Microbiol 52 (3): 434-5. doi:10.4103/0377-4929.55019. PMID 19679986.
- ↑ Christensen C (1990). "Adenomatoid tumors of the uterus". Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol. 11 (2): 85–9. PMID 2199199.
- ↑ Visvanathan, K.; Vang, R.; Shaw, P.; Gross, A.; Soslow, R.; Parkash, V.; Shih, IeM.; Kurman, RJ. (Dec 2011). "Diagnosis of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma based on morphologic and immunohistochemical features: a reproducibility study.". Am J Surg Pathol 35 (12): 1766-75. doi:10.1097/PAS.0b013e31822f58bc. PMID 21989347.