Detached ciliary tufts in pouch of Douglas fluid.

Detached ciliary tufts were observed in fluid obtained during laparoscopy from the pouch of Douglas of a young woman with secondary infertility. Previous reports of this finding are reviewed, and various etiologic factors in the production of these structures are discussed. This phenomenon appears to be a normal physiologic condition that results from exfoliation of the distal portion of the fallopian tube epithelial cells, possibly under the influence of progesterone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.