Cumulus oophorus
Last revised by Mr. Dennis Odhiambo Agolah on 06 Aug 2022
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Morgan, M., Agolah, D. Cumulus oophorus. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 17 Aug 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-42514
Permalink:
rID:
42514
Article created:
24 Jan 2016 by Dr Matt A. Morgan ◉
Revisions:
7 times by 4 users - see full revision history
System:
Sections:
-
Tags:
Synonyms:
- Cumuli oophori
- Proligerus membrane
- Discus proligerus
- Proligerus disc
- Ovigerus
Cumulus oophorus refers to an appearance in the ovary in which multiple granulosa cells enlarge around a developing oocyte. These support cells ("cumulus cells") serve multiple functions in the maturation of the oocyte. They may occasionally be seen during a pelvic ultrasound, and should not be confused with a pathological finding.
60-65% of the time a cumulus oophorus is visualized 12-24 hours before ovulation 3.
It comprises a collection of the cells in a mature follicle that protrude into the cavity of the follicle. It is a sign of imminent ovulation, but its absence has little significance in predicting the maturity of the oocyte.
On ultrasound, the cumulus oophorus appears as a cyst along the wall of the dominant follicle
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
- it may be seen as a small anechoic cyst (or group of cysts) around a dominant follicle
Differential diagnosis
- septated ovarian cyst: the stage of the menstrual cycle may help differentiate
References
- 1. Tanghe S, Van Soom A, Nauwynck H et-al. Minireview: Functions of the cumulus oophorus during oocyte maturation, ovulation, and fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 2002;61 (3): 414-24. doi:10.1002/mrd.10102 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Laing FC, Allison SJ. US of the ovary and adnexa: to worry or not to worry?. Radiographics. 2012;32 (6): 1621-39. doi:10.1148/rg.326125512 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Timor-Tritsch IE, Rottem S. Transvaginal sonography. Elsevier Science Ltd. ISBN:0444015779. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Cacciatore B, Liukkonen S, Koskimies AI et-al. Ultrasonic detection of a cumulus oophorus in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf. 1986;2 (4): 224-8. Pubmed citation
- 5. Kerin J. Ovulation Detection in the Human. Clin Reprod Fertil. 1982;1(1):27-54. - Pubmed
Related articles: Pathology: Genitourinary
- obstetrics
-
first trimester
- ultrasound findings in early pregnancy
- embryo/fetus
- beta-hCG levels
- confirming intrauterine gestation
- pregnancy of unknown location (PUL)
- first trimester vaginal bleeding
- early structural scan
- aneuploidy testing
-
second trimester
- fetal biometry
- amniotic fluid volume
- fetal morphology assessment
- soft markers
- amnioreduction
- Doppler ultrasound
- nuchal translucency
- 11-13 weeks antenatal scan
- chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis
- other
- placenta
- placental anatomy
- placental developmental abnormalities
- placenta previa
- spectrum of abnormal placental villous adherence
- abnormalities of cord insertion
- abruptio placentae
- placental pathology
- vascular pathologies of placenta
- placental infections
- placental masses
- molar pregnancy
- twin placenta
- miscellaneous
-
first trimester
- gynecology
- acute pelvic pain
- chronic pelvic pain
- uterus
- ovaries
- ovarian follicle
- ovarian torsion
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- ovarian cysts and masses
- paraovarian cyst
- polycystic ovaries
- ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- post-hysterectomy ovary
- cervix
- fallopian tube
- other
- male genital tract
- prostate gland
- transrectal ultrasound
- prostate tumors
- infections of the prostate
-
prostatitis
- acute bacterial prostatitis
-
chronic prostatitis
- chronic bacterial prostatitis
- chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)
- asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
- granulomatous prostatitis
- emphysematous prostatitis
- prostatic abscess
-
prostatitis
- benign prostatic hypertrophy
- cystic lesions of the prostate
- prostatic calcification
- prostatic infarction
- testes
-
unilateral testicular lesion
- testicular torsion
- orchitis
- testicular rupture
-
germ cell tumors of the testis
- testicular seminoma
-
non seminomatous germ cell tumors
- mixed germ cell tumor
- yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor)
- embryonal cell carcinoma
- choriocarcinoma
- testicular teratoma
- testicular epidermoid (teratoma with ectodermal elements only)
- burned out testis tumor
- sex cord / stromal tumors of the testis
- testicular cyst
- testicular lymphoma
- bilateral testicular lesion
- paratesticular lesions
- epididymis
- other
- polyorchidism
- cryptorchidism
- tubular ectasia of the rete testis
- cystadenoma of the rete testis
- testicular sarcoidosis
- testicular tuberculosis
- spermatic cord
- fibrous pseudotumor of the scrotum
- scrotal leiomyosarcoma
- testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs)
- tunica vaginalis testis mesothelioma
- splenogonadal fusion
- testicular vasculitis
- abnormal testicular Doppler flow (differential)
-
unilateral testicular lesion
- penis
- prostate gland
- KUB
- kidneys
- normal renal anatomy
- hydronephrosis
- urolithiasis
- renal masses
- renal cystic disease
- renal infection
- vascular
- trauma
- ureter
- normal ureter anatomy
- ureteral stricture
- ureteral dilatation
- ureteral anomalies
- ureteral tumors
- ureteral trauma
- other
- bladder
- kidneys