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How does a fertilized egg travel from the uterine tube to the uterus?
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pregnancy
Devices for individual use at home detect pregnancy by measuring levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine.
After fertilization occurs in the uterine tube, the developing zygote travels toward the uterus over the course of approximately three to four days.12
This movement is facilitated by two primary mechanisms working in tandem:
- Ciliary Action: The mucous membrane lining the fallopian tube contains cells with fine, hairlike structures called cilia. The swaying, rhythmic motions of these cilia help propel the egg along the tube.23
- Muscular Contractions: The wall of the fallopian tube undergoes rhythmic muscular contractions, known as peristaltic waves, which assist in moving the egg toward the uterine cavity.2
During this passage, the zygote is nourished by secretions from the mucous membrane lining the tube. By the time it reaches the uterus, the zygote has undergone multiple cell divisions to become a solid mass of cells called a morula, which subsequently develops into a blastocyst before implantation in the uterine lining.123