The accessory fallopian tube: A rare anomaly

Abstract

This paper presents a rare anatomical variation in the form of accessory fallopian tube on right side. The duplication of fallopian tube was observed in a 34-year-old female during routine undergraduate dissection in our department. Fallopian tube is the part of uterus that carries the ovum from the ovary to the uterus. Accessory fallopian tube is the congenital anomaly attached to the ampullary part of main tube. This accessory tube is common site of pyosalpinx, hydrosalpinx, cystic swelling and torsion. The ovum released by the ovary may also be captured by the blind accessory tube leading to infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Hence, all patients of infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease should be screened to rule out the presence of accessory fallopian tube and if encountered should be removed.

Clinical implications of accessory fallopian tube ostium in endometriosis and primary infertility

“…3 Possible complications associated with this anomaly include ectopic pregnancy, pyosalpinx, as well as infertility. [3][4][5][6] Its involvement in the pathogenesis of infertility remains unclear although one possible mechanism involves the escape of the ovulated oocyte from the fallopian tube through the accessory ostium. 3,5 The additional ostium may also perturb normal ciliary function and transport of fluid through the fallopian tube, thereby impacting the early steps of fertilization.…”

“…3 Some anatomical variants such as phimoses, accessory tubes, sacculations, and fimbrial agglutinations are noted frequently, 3 while others such as accessory tubal ostia are encountered rarely. 4 Accessory tubal ostia are considered natural but rare fallopian tube variants that occur when ectopic tubal fimbria are noted at a distance from the normal fimbriated end. 5,6 Previous studies have reported accessory tubal ostia, at least co-incidentally, in patients undergoing treatment for infertility.…”