Which test is used to evaluate the patency of the fallopian tubes?

• A. Laparoscopy
• B. Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
• C. Colposcopy
• D. Endometrial biopsy

Answer: (B)

The test used to evaluate the patency of the fallopian tubes is hysterosalpingography (HSG). This specialized radiologic procedure involves the injection of a contrast dye into the uterine cavity through the cervix, allowing for the visualization of the endometrial cavity and the fallopian tubes under X-ray imaging. An important aspect of HSG is its ability to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked, which can significantly impact fertility.

Laparoscopy, while it can also be used to assess the reproductive organs and can be employed to evaluate tubal patency visually, is more invasive than HSG and typically involves making small incisions in the abdomen. Colposcopy is a procedure primarily used for the examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva for signs of disease, and it does not assess the fallopian tubes. An endometrial biopsy involves sampling the tissue from the lining of the uterus and is not used to evaluate tubal patency. Thus, hysterosalpingography is the most direct and appropriate test for assessing the condition of the fallopian tubes.