What is the function of the oviducts?

The oviducts, also known as fallopian tubes, play a critical role in the female reproductive system by transporting ova (egg cells) from the ovaries to the uterus. After ovulation, when an egg is released from the ovary, the oviducts capture the egg and facilitate its movement toward the uterus through cilia and peristaltic movements. This journey is essential for the possibility of fertilization, as sperm typically travel through the oviducts to meet the egg. If fertilization occurs, it usually takes place within the oviduct before the fertilized egg continues its journey to the uterus for implantation.

Other choices do not describe the primary role of the oviducts. While sperm do travel through the female reproductive tract, their transport is a function of different structures within the system, and oviducts specifically are designed for the passage of ova. Urine transport is the function of the ureters and bladder, and hormone secretion is primarily related to the ovaries and other glands, not the oviducts.