The ovaries, fallopian tubes and peritoneum

The ovaries and fallopian tubes are parts of the reproductive system. They are supported by a layer of tissue called the peritoneum.

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The ovaries

The ovaries are 2 small, oval-shaped organs in the pelvis. The pelvis is the lower area between the hips. The ovaries are on either side of the womb (uterus), close to the ends of the fallopian tubes. The ovaries are part of the reproductive system.

Each month, 1 of the ovaries produces an egg. The ovaries also produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. These help to control the reproductive system. As you get older, the ovaries make less of these hormones. The ovaries eventually stop releasing eggs each month and your periods stop. This is called the menopause. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. It means you cannot get pregnant anymore.

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The fallopian tubes

The fallopian tubes are 2 fine tubes that connect the ovaries to either side of the womb. The egg released by an ovary travels down the fallopian tube to the womb. If the egg is not fertilised by a sperm, it passes out of the womb as part of the monthly period.

Ovarian cancer and fallopian tube cancer can affect anyone who has ovaries and fallopian tubes. This includes women, transgender (trans) men and people assigned female at birth.

Organs close to the ovaries and fallopian tubes

There are several organs close to the ovaries and fallopian tubes. These include:

  • the womb
  • lymph nodes in the pelvis
  • the bladder
  • the ureters – tubes that drain pee (urine) from the kidneys to the bladder
  • the back passage (rectum)
  • part of the bowel.

The peritoneum

The peritoneum is a layer of tissue (membrane) that lines the wall of the tummy (abdomen).

The inner layer of the peritoneum covers the surface of all the organs in the tummy, such as the stomach, liver and bowel. The outer layer lines the wall of the tummy. Between the 2 layers is a small amount of fluid. This allows the layers to move easily against each other.

The peritoneum helps protect the organs in the tummy and keep them in place.

A section of the inner layer forms an extra fatty flap of tissue that hangs down from the stomach and the middle part of the large bowel (transverse colon). This flap is called the omentum.

Side view ovarian with ureter

The diagram shows a side view cross-section of the organs and structures in the female abdomen and pelvis. This includes the womb, an ovary, a fallopian tube and the bladder.
Image: The diagram shows a side view of a female body from the level of the belly button down to the upper thigh. It shows the structures and organs in the abdomen and pelvis. There are 3 small openings into the pelvis between the legs. The opening closest to the back of the body leads up into a tube-shaped space. This is the back passage (rectum). The opening closest to the front of the body leads up into a rounded hollow organ. This is the bladder. The opening in the middle leads up into a slightly larger hollow organ with thick walls. This is the womb (uterus). The womb sits behind and over the bladder. At the top of the womb, a thin short tube is shown leaving the womb. This is a fallopian tube. It leads to a small solid oval organ. This is an ovary. Above the bladder and womb, a large space is shown. This space fills the front half of the body. Most of the space contains an irregular bundle of thick tubing. This is the bowel. A long flap of tissue is shown hanging down in the space in front of the bowel. This is the omentum. A thin lining is shown covering the walls of the space. The lining also covers the surfaces of the bowel, bladder and womb. This lining is the peritoneum. A fine tube is shown behind the bowel and womb. This is a ureter. It enters the top of the image towards the back of the body. It travels down behind the bowel and womb and connects to the top of the bladder through a small opening.
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Ovarian cancer and the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system. It helps protect us from infection and disease. It is made up of fine tubes called lymph vessels, lymph fluid and lymph nodes (glands).

Lymph vessels are a network of tiny tubes throughout the body. Lymph fluid is a colourless fluid that flows through the lymph vessels. It is filtered through the lymph nodes before it moves back into the bloodstream.

Lymph nodes act like a filter for the lymph fluid. They remove germs (bacteria and viruses) and other harmful cells. You might sometimes be aware of your lymph nodes, such as the ones in your neck. They can feel sore or swollen for a short time while your body fights an infection.
Sometimes cancer can spread through the lymphatic system. Cancer that starts in the ovaries, fallopian tubes or peritoneum is most likely to spread to the lymph nodes in the pelvis or tummy (abdomen) area.

Lymph nodes in the abdomen and pelvis

The diagram shows the female abdomen and pelvis from the front. It shows a network of fine tubes and small oval shapes. These are the pelvic lymph nodes.
Image: The diagram shows the female abdomen and pelvis from the front. A narrow opening is shown between the legs. This leads into a narrow space shown inside the pelvis. This space is called the vagina. Above the vagina the space narrows until both sides almost touch. Then it opens again to form a hollow pear-shaped organ called the womb. The surfaces of the 2 sides are coloured red where they narrow between the vagina and the womb. The narrow area is the cervix. At either side of the upper end of the womb are 2 small solid oval shapes. These are the ovaries. They are connected to either side of the womb by narrow tubes called the fallopian tubes. A network of fine lines connecting small oval shapes is shown. This is the lymphatic system and lymph nodes. This network enters the image just above the tummy button. It splits into 2 main streams. These are shown over each ovary, down each side of the womb and into the area each side of the vagina at the top of the legs.

About our information

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.

  • References

    Below is a sample of the sources used in our ovarian cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk

     

    Ovarian cancer: recognition and initial management. Clinical guideline [CG122] Published: 27 April 2011 Last updated: 02 October 2023 www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg122 (accessed May 2024)

     

    Ovarian cancer: identifying and managing familial and genetic risk. NICE guideline [NG241]. Published: 21 March 2024 www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng241 (accessed May 2024)

     

    A. González-Martín, P. Harter, A. Leary, D. Lorusso, R. E. Miller, B. Pothuri, I. Ray-Coquard, D. S. P. Tan, E. Bellet, A. Oaknin & J. A. Ledermann, on behalf of the ESMO Guidelines Committee. Newly diagnosed and relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Published August 17, 2023. www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(23)00797-4/fulltext (accessed May 2024)

Cancer Information Development team

Author

Dr Alexandra Taylor

Reviewer

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Royal Marsden Hospital, London

Date reviewed

Reviewed: 01 March 2025
|
Next review: 01 March 2029
Trusted Information Creator - Patient Information Forum
Trusted Information Creator - Patient Information Forum

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We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.


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