The cow fallopian tube is a narrow, flexuous tube that extends to the pointed end of the uterine horns. Here, in this guide, I will describe the anatomy of the cow’s fallopian tube with a hand-drawn diagram and real pictures.
Quick answer: Cow fallopian tube is a convoluted structure that conducts ova from the ovary and consists of the infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus.
I will help you identify the whole structure first, then differentiate these three parts of the cow’s fallopian tube practically.
What is the fallopian tube of a cow?
Figure 1 shows a hand-drawn presentation of the flexuous duct or tube. It acts as the excretory duct of the cow’s ovary and is termed the fallopian tube.
However, it is not directly continuous with the ovary; it has a small attachment. Practically, it conveys the ova from the ovary to the horn of the uterus.
Another name of the cow’s fallopian tube: Uterine tube, oviduct.
Location and extension: As shown in Figure 1, the cow’s fallopian tube extends from the ovary to the uterine horn. However, it is enclosed in a peritoneal fold that is derived from the lateral layer of the broad ligament.
How many fallopian/uterine tubes does a cow have?
Figure 2 highlights the number of the cow’s uterine/fallopian tubes. Thus, a cow has two fallopian tubes: right and left, attached to the right and left ovaries, respectively.
However, the external and internal anatomical features of the right and left fallopian tubes are similar. Each tube is about 25-30 centimeters long. Again, they have similar diameters (about 3 millimeters). These measurements are based on the average size of a cow’s uterine tubes.
However, each uterine (Fallopian) tube is attached to the free cranial border of the broad ligament. This part is a modification of the broad ligament and is termed the mesosalpinx.
Parts of the cow’s fallopian tubes
Figure 3 presents the three grossly identifiable parts of the cow’s fallopian tubes.
Thus, the three parts of the fallopian or uterine tubes are –
- Infundibulum: The first part of the uterine tube (towards the ovary).
- Ampulla: This is the middle part of the tube.
- Isthmus: The last narrow part of the tube (towards the uterine horn).
Infundibulum of the cow’s uterine tube
Figure 4 highlights the ovarian extremity of the cow’s fallopian/uterine tube. It is greatly dilated, forming a funnel-shaped structure.
This dilated funnel-shaped ovarian extremity is the infundibulum of the cow’s uterine tube. However, the free border of the infundibulum has several small projections (Figure 4). These projections are termed the fimbriae of the infundibulum.
A small aperture is located at the center of the fallopian tube. This is the abdominal opening of the tube (Figure 5) by which it communicates with the peritoneal cavity.
Through the infundibular opening, oocytes pass and are conveyed toward the uterus.
Here, the infundibulum follows a course over a pouch formed by the folding of the mesosalpinx. However, the size and shape of the infundibulum vary in different cows.
A cow’s uterine infundibulum has a surface area of about 20 square centimeters.
What are the ampulla and isthmus of the cow’s fallopian tube?
Figure 6 shows hand-drawn diagrams of the ampulla and isthmus of the cow’s fallopian tube. It also presents the distinct differentiating features between the ampulla and isthmus parts of the tube.
Ampulla: According to the figure, the part of the fallopian tube leading from the infundibulum is the ampulla. The ampulla wall is relatively thin. However, it has a larger diameter than the other part of the cow’s fallopian tube.
The ampulla part of the cow’s uterine tube is highly flexuous. However, it constitutes more than half of the fallopian tube.
Isthmus: The figure also shows that the uterine end of the fallopian tube is narrow and thick-walled. This part of the tube is very short and is termed the isthmus.
This part of the tube communicates with the cavity of the uterine horn without visible demarcation. However, it possesses a minute orifice, also termed the uterine opening of the fallopian tube.
The junction portion between the last part of the cow’s fallopian tube and the uterine horn is known as the intramular part.
Distinguishing internal features of the ampulla and isthmus
You can easily differentiate the ampulla from the isthmus part by their distinct internal features. Here, Figure 7 presents the unique gross anatomical features of the ampulla and isthmus parts of the cow’s uterine/fallopian tubes.
However, Table 1 shows the differentiating features between the convoluted ampulla and short isthmus of the fallopian tube of a cow –
| Features | Ampulla part | Isthmus part |
| Wall of the tube | Thin-walled tube | Thick-walled tube |
| Length | More | Less |
| Diameter of the tube | Widen | Narrow |
| Mucosal folds | More complex folds | Thin and plicated |
Structures of the cow’s uterine tube
Figure 8 presents an overview of the structures of the cow’s uterine tube. It shows that the tube is composed of mucous, muscular, and serous coats (from inner to outer).
Mucous coat: The mucous coat is thin and highly plicated in the cow’s uterine/fallopian tube. It consists of a single layer of ciliated columnar epithelium (may also vary in different parts).
However, this mucous coat forms plenty of longitudinal folds at the isthmus. These folds are branched and form primary, secondary, and tertiary folds in the ampulla.
Practically, these folds occupy the lumen of the fallopian tube, leaving a small space between them. However, the folds continue to the fimbriae of the infundibulum.
Muscular coat: It consists of the inner circular and outer longitudinal muscle fibers. Here, the circular muscle fibers are abundant in the isthmus part of the fallopian tube.
Thus, the lumen is narrow, and the wall is thick in the isthmus part.
Serous coat: This coat is derived from the peritoneum (mesosalpinx). However, the serous coat continues on the fimbriae and meets the mucous membrane lining them internally.
Vessels and nerves of the cow’s uterine tube
Here, the artery of the cow’s uterine tube is derived from the utero-ovarian artery. However, the veins are the satellites of the arteries.
The lymphatics of the fallopian tube pass with the ovarian vessels to the lumbar glands. Again, the nerves of the tube come from the pelvic plexus, which is similar to the ovary.
FAQ’s on the cow’s fallopian tubes
You will find a distinct variation between the fallopian tubes of cows and mares. In the mare, the tubes are more flexuous and longer than in cows.
However, the fimbriae of the infundibulum of the mare’s fallopian tube are more extensive. Again, the junction between the fallopian tube and uterine horn in a mare is abrupt (Figure 9).
You will find a few differences in the uterine tubes between the small (sheep/goat) and large (cow) ruminants. In small ruminants (sheep/goat), the uterine tubes are longer and more tortuous.
Again, they are very flexuous near the infundibulum of the sheep/goat’s uterine tube. However, there is no clear demarcation between the uterine tube and uterine horn in the sheep and goat.
Conclusion
So, the fallopian tube of a cow is a narrow, flexuous structure consisting of three parts: the infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus. Here, the first part, the funnel-shaped infundibulum, faces towards the ovarian end.
However, the last part is the isthmus, which faces the extremity of the uterine horn. The middle part is the ampulla, which is longer than the other parts and has more complex internal mucosal folds.
References
- Ghosh, R. K.: Primary Veterinary Anatomy, 2nd Ed.Current Books International, Kolkata.
- Kothari, Bipinchandra U. (1977) Studies of Fallopian Tube in the Cow. MVM(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.
- Rowen D. Frandson, W. Lee Wilke, and A. Dee: Anatomy and physiology of farm animals, 4th edn.Wiley-Blackwell, USA.
- Getty, R. Sission and Grossman’s The anatomy of the domestic animals, 5th Edn. W. B. Saunders and Co., Philadelphia (USA).
- Gautam, V., et al., (2021). Prevalence of fallopian tube pathologies in buffaloes. Buffalo Bulletin, 40(2), 247–258. Retrieved from https://kuojs.lib.ku.ac.th/index.php/BufBu/article/view/2305
- Anwer, Abeer & El-Metwally, Abeer. (2016). Pathomorphometric Studies on the Fallopian Tubes problems in Cows.
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- Crisman, R. O., et al., (1980). Oviduct (uterine tube) transport of ova in the cow. American journal of veterinary research, 41(4), 645–647.
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