VAN 211: Veterinary Histology and Embryology (2+2)

OVIDUCT (Uterine tube or Fallopian tube)

• Wall of the oviduct is composed of a mucosa, muscularis and serosa. Mucosa bears a columnar epithelium, parts of which are psuedostratified in the rurminants.
• The epithelium contains columnar cells some of which are ciliated, whereas others are not ciliated. The mucosa forms large primary and small secondary folds. The lamina propria is composed of a richly cellular connective tissue. The muscularis chiefly consists of circularly arranged plain muscle fibres. The serosa has the usual structure of mesothelium.
• The structure of oviduct shows gradual variations from its ovarian to the uteine end. Mucosal folds are pronounced at the uterine end gradually decrease and become negligible at the uterine end. The muscular coat becomes thicker towards the uterine end.
• The epithelium also shows changes during different stages of oestrus cycle. The epithelium becomes taller with greater secretory activity just before and during the oestrus period.