Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

In human reproduction, where does successful fertilization most commonly occur?

1. Uterus

2. Ovary

3. Fallopian tube

4. Cervix

The correct answer is: Fallopian tube

Successful fertilization most commonly occurs in the fallopian tube. This is the structure that transports the ovum from the ovary to the uterus and is the site where the sperm meets the egg. The fallopian tube provides the optimal environment for the sperm and egg to collide and fuse following ovulation. The environment of the fallopian tube is conducive to the processes of fertilization due to its specific cellular lining and the presence of nutrients that facilitate both the movement of the sperm and the egg as well as the fertilization process itself. Once fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote then travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus for implantation. Other areas mentioned in the options, such as the uterus, ovary, and cervix, do play significant roles in reproduction but do not specifically serve as the primary site of fertilization. The uterus is where implantation occurs after fertilization, the ovary is where the egg is produced and released, and the cervix acts as a passageway between the vagina and the uterus, primarily involved in the menstrual cycle and birth processes. Thus, the fallopian tube is the correct choice for the location of successful fertilization.