The fimbriae act as a collection apparatus which ensures that ova are caught and channelled down into the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube itself is a muscular highly movable tubular structure capable of highly coordinated movement. The lining of the tube is folded and lined with microscopic hair-like projections called cilia, which are also responsible for the movement of eggs, sperm and embryos. The tubal lining is capable of producing a fluid that can act as a nutritive medium for the egg. Both the muscular walls and cilia move in such a way as to waft ova progressively along from the ovaries to the uterus.
Cells lining the tubes produce substances that alter sperm so that they can fertilise an ovum.
Fertilisation also occurs in the fallopian tube, then the embryo continues down the tube towards the uterus. The major cause of tubal damage, other than from elective sterilisation, occurs through pelvic infection. The source of the infection often cannot be traced. In addition to tubal blockage, any pelvic inflammatory disease can also produce bands of tissue which link abdominal organs together. These fibrous bands are called adhesions and can substantially alter the functioning of the fallopian tubes.