follicular cyst

Definition: One type of simple cyst, which is the most common type of ovarian cyst, is the follicular cyst of ovary, or "graafian follicle cyst", or "follicular cyst". The follicular cyst of ovary (or ovarian functional cyst) is a type of functional simple cyst, and is the most common type of ovarian cyst.

Any ovarian follicle that is larger than about two centimeters is termed an ovarian follicular cyst.

Some ovarian cysts cause problems, such as bleeding and pain.

Surgery may be required to remove cysts larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.

Follicular cysts are commonly found in the ovaries of prepubertal females as an incidental finding.

This type can form when ovulation doesn’t occur, and a follicle doesn’t rupture or release its egg but instead grows until it becomes a cyst, or when a mature follicle involutes (collapses on itself).

It usually forms during ovulation, and can grow to about 6cm (2.3 inches) in diameter.

It is thin-walled, lined by one or more layers of granulosa cells , and filled with clear fluid.

Synopsis

 Outer layer of theca interna cells, usually luteinized and may be surrounded by reticulum
 Variable inner layer of granulosa cells, luteinized after puberty

Pathophysiology

This type can form when ovulation doesn’t occur, and a follicle doesn’t rupture or release its egg but instead grows until it becomes a cyst, or when a mature follicle involutes (collapses on itself).

It usually forms during ovulation, and can grow to about 6cm (2.3 inches) in diameter. It is thin-walled, lined by one or more layers of granulosa cell, and filled with clear fluid.

Presentation

Its rupture can create sharp, severe pain on the side of the ovary on which the cyst appears.

This sharp pain (sometimes called "mittelschmerz") occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, during ovulation. About a fourth of women with this type of cyst experience pain.

Usually, these cysts produce no symptoms and disappear by themselves within a few months.

Clinical synopsis

Its rupture can create sharp, severe pain on the side of the ovary on which the cyst appears. This sharp pain (sometimes called "mittelschmerz") occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, during ovulation. About a fourth of women with this type of cyst experience pain.

Usually, these cysts produce no symptoms and disappear by themselves within a few months.

See also

 ovarian polycystosis

• multiple follicular cysts

See also

 ovarian cysts