Mature cystic teratoma of the ovary (dermoid cyst)
Image courtesy of Ed Uthman. Please see case description page for licence and original file information.
Case Discussion
This 4-cm mature cystic teratoma of the ovary was found incidentally at the time of Cesarean section and removed. Like most ovarian teratomas (and unlike those of the testis) this one was benign, showing only mature tissues microscopically. In addition to the obvious cutaneous structures (giving rise to the hair seen here), histologically there was abundant neuroglia and even one neuron. Central nervous system tissue is very common in mature teratomas.
The second photo shows a well-developed tooth arising from the right side of the mural nodule ("Rokitansky nodule") that contains most of the solid teratomatous elements. The central portion of the nodule contains mostly cutaneous tissues (skin, sweat glands, and hair follicles), while the neural tissues extend into the wall toward the left.
Author: Ed Uthman, MD
Original file: http://web2.airmail.net/uthman/specimens/images/teratoma.html
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