gynecology and obstetrics
Benign Ovarian Masses
Functional ovarian cysts
There are 2 types of functional cysts: Follicular cysts:These cysts develop from graafian follicles (fluid-filled sacs that contain ova and are located in the ovaries). Corpus luteum cysts:These cysts develop from the corpus luteum (which forms from the dominant follicle after ovulation). They may hemorrhage into the cyst cavity, distending the ovarian capsule or rupturing into the peritoneum. Most functional cysts are<1.5 cm in diameter; few exceed 5 cm. Functional cysts usually resolve spontaneously over days to weeks. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is usually defined as a clinical syndrome, not by the presence of ovarian cysts. But ovaries typically contain many 2- to 6-mm follicular cysts and sometimes contain larger cysts that contain atretic cells. 