Final answer:
After ovulation, the egg, or secondary oocyte, is swept into the fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by sperm, leading to implantation in the uterus. If not fertilized, the egg degrades and may be shed during menstruation. The fallopian tube actively assists in guiding the egg post-ovulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
After ovulation, the egg, which is actually a secondary oocyte, travels into the fallopian tube. Here, it may encounter sperm which, if successful in fertilizing the egg, will result in the secondary oocyte completing meiosis II, forming a mature egg and beginning a process of rapid cell division. This develops into a zygote that continues its journey towards the uterus for implantation.
If the egg is not fertilized, it will not complete the second stage of meiosis and will degenerate. This usually happens within the fallopian tube, but it can also occur in the uterus, where the unfertilized egg may be shed during the next menstrual cycle. The fallopian tubes are not just passive channels; their fringelike ends, known as fimbriae, actively sweep the oocyte inside following ovulation, illustrating the collaborative nature of the female reproductive system in facilitating potential fertilization.