The ostium of the Fallopian tube (plural ostia) may refer to the proximal or distal opening of the tube.
The proximal tubal opening (ostium or os) is located within the uterus at the uterotubal junction and accessible via hysteroscopy. Occlusion at this opening is referred to as proximal tubal occlusion.
The distal tubal opening (or abdominal ostium) is the opening in the infundibulum of uterine tube into the abdominal cavity. In ovulation, the oocyte enters the Fallopian tube through this opening. It is surrounded by fimbriae, which help in the collection of the oocyte. Occlusion of this opening is referred to as distal tubal occlusion.
Famous quotes containing the words fallopian and/or tube:
“With sighs more lunar than bronchial,
Howbeit eluding fallopian diagnosis,
She simpers into the tribal library and reads
That Keats died of tuberculosis . . .”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“Even crushed against his brother in the Tube the average Englishman pretends desperately that he is alone.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)