Clinical meaning
Benign ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on or within the ovary. The most common types are functional cysts, which arise from the normal ovulatory process. A follicular cyst forms when a follicle fails to release its egg (ovulate) and continues to grow, filling with fluid. A corpus luteum cyst forms when the corpus luteum (the structure remaining after ovulation) fails to regress and fills with fluid or blood. These functional cysts are usually small, asymptomatic, and resolve spontaneously within 1-3 menstrual cycles. Other benign cyst types include dermoid cysts (mature teratomas containing tissue such as hair, teeth, and fat) and endometriomas (blood-filled cysts from endometriosis). Complications include cyst rupture (causing acute pelvic pain and possible internal bleeding) and ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary on its blood supply, a surgical emergency).
Exam relevance
Risk factors: - Reproductive age (most common during childbearing years) - History of previous ovarian cysts - Endometriosis (endometriomas) - Hormonal imbalances - Fertility medication use (ovulation stimulation) - Smoking - Early menarche