The uterine tube (fallopian tube) carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus. Unless a biological abnormality, surgery, or ectopic pregnancy caused the loss of one tube, women should have two uterine tubes in their bodies.
A section of the fallopian tubes, called the ampulla, is generally where an egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm. The resulting fertilized egg then moves to the uterus where it continues to develop until birth.
Some women may suffer from a tubal or ectopic pregnancy that puts their fallopian tube as well as their lives in jeopardy. Ectopic pregnancies result from a fertilized egg staying in the tube rather than traveling to the uterus. They are treated with surgery, which terminates the pregnancy. Women with multiple sexual partners or a history of sexually-transmitted diseases are more likely to suffer from ectopic pregnancies.
Infections can also harm fallopian tubes.
Women who no longer want children can have their ‘tubes tied’ to prevent eggs from moving from the fallopian tubes into the uterus.