Diseases of Female Genital Tract

Diseases of Female Genital Tract

Diseases of Female Genital Tract

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Vulva & Vagina - Outer Defenses

  • Physiological Defenses: Key to preventing infections.
    • Normal Flora: Predominantly Lactobacilli (Döderlein's bacilli).
      • Metabolize glycogen (estrogen-dependent) to lactic acid.
      • Maintains acidic vaginal pH (3.8-4.5), inhibiting pathogen growth.
    • Epithelium:
      • Vulva: Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
      • Vagina: Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, rich in glycogen (estrogen-dependent).
      • Provides a physical barrier.
    • Secretions: Cervical mucus & vaginal transudate offer a flushing mechanism.
    • Local Immunity: Includes Langerhans cells (APCs) & intraepithelial lymphocytes. Microscopic view of vaginal flora

⭐ Estrogen is vital for vaginal health; it promotes glycogen accumulation in vaginal epithelial cells, supporting Lactobacilli and maintaining an acidic pH, crucial for defense against infections like bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis.

Cervix - Gatekeeper's Woes

  • Cervicitis:
    • Acute (PMNs), Chronic (lymphocytes).
    • Causes: C. trachomatis (common), N. gonorrhoeae, HSV, T. vaginalis.
  • HPV & Pre-cancer:
    • High-risk (HR-HPV): 16, 18, 31, 33; E6 (↓p53), E7 (↓Rb).
    • Low-risk (LR-HPV): 6, 11 → Condyloma.
    • Transformation Zone (TZ): Key site for dysplasia.
    • Koilocytes: HPV effect (perinuclear halo, nuclear atypia).
  • Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN):
    • CIN I: Mild dysplasia (lower 1/3 epithelium).
    • CIN II: Moderate (lower 2/3).
    • CIN III/CIS: Severe (full thickness).
  • Cervical Cancer:
    • Types: SCC (75%), AdenoCa (20%).
    • Screening: Pap smear, HPV DNA.
    • Prevention: HPV vaccine.
  • Benign:
    • Nabothian cysts, Endocervical polyps.

⭐ HR-HPV types 16 & 18 cause ~70% of cervical cancers.

Koilocytes in cervical smear

Uterus (Corpus & Endometrium) - Womb Wonders & Worries

  • Endometrial Hyperplasia & Carcinoma:
    • Hyperplasia: Unopposed estrogen. PTEN inactivation. Precursor to Type I Ca. EIN classification.
    • Ca Type I: ~80%. Estrogen-dependent. PTEN, KRAS, MSI. Endometrioid. Good prognosis.
    • Ca Type II: ~15%. Estrogen-independent. p53. Serous, clear cell. Aggressive.
  • Adenomyosis: Endometrial glands/stroma in myometrium. Menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, enlarged uterus.
  • Leiomyoma (Fibroid): Benign smooth muscle tumor. Most common tumor in women. Estrogen-sensitive. MED12.
    • Locations: Submucosal, Intramural, Subserosal. (📌 Mnemonic: "SIMS") Uterine leiomyoma histology: Spindle cells
  • Leiomyosarcoma: Malignant. De novo. Necrosis, atypia, >10 mitoses/10 HPF.
  • Endometritis:
    • Acute: Bacterial, post-partum/abortion. Neutrophils.
    • Chronic: Plasma cells diagnostic. Causes: PID, IUD, TB.
  • Asherman Syndrome: Intrauterine adhesions. Amenorrhea, infertility.

⭐ Endometrial carcinoma is the most common invasive cancer of the female genital tract.

Ovaries & Fallopian Tubes - Eggcellent Adventures & Alarms

  • Ovarian Cysts & Tumors:
    • Functional Cysts: Follicular, Corpus Luteum, Theca-Lutein. Usually benign.
    • Surface Epithelial (most common):
      • Serous: Most common malignant. Psammoma bodies. CA-125.
      • Mucinous: Large. Pseudomyxoma peritonei.
      • Endometrioid: Assoc. w/ endometriosis.
      • Brenner: Benign. Coffee-bean nuclei.
    • Germ Cell (younger patients):
      • Teratoma (Dermoid): Most common GCT. Mature (benign). Struma ovarii.
      • Dysgerminoma: LDH, hCG. Radiosensitive. (📌 "D"ysgerminoma = ra"D"iosensitive)
      • Yolk Sac Tumor: AFP. Schiller-Duval bodies.
      • Choriocarcinoma: ↑hCG. Aggressive.
    • Sex Cord-Stromal:
      • Granulosa Cell: Estrogen ↑ (bleeding/precocity). Call-Exner bodies. Inhibin.
      • Sertoli-Leydig: Androgens ↑ (virilization).
      • Fibroma: Solid. Meigs syndrome (fibroma, ascites, hydrothorax).
  • Fallopian Tube Pathology:
    • Salpingitis (PID): Inflammation. Hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx. Infertility risk.
    • Ectopic Pregnancy: Ampulla (most common). Rupture risk.
    • Carcinoma: Rare, serous type. BRCA assoc.

⭐ Meigs syndrome triad: Ovarian fibroma, ascites, and hydrothorax. Resolves with tumor removal.

Fallopian tube pathology highlights

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • HPV infection (types 16, 18) is key in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cancer.
  • Endometriosis: ectopic endometrial tissue; "chocolate cysts" (ovary).
  • PCOS: anovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries; ↑ risk of endometrial cancer.
  • Leiomyomas (fibroids): most common benign uterine tumor.
  • Serous cystadenocarcinoma: most common malignant ovarian epithelial tumor; psammoma bodies.
  • Lichen sclerosus: thin, white plaques on vulva; slight ↑ risk of SCC.
  • Granulosa cell tumors of ovary often produce estrogen; Call-Exner bodies.

Practice Questions: Diseases of Female Genital Tract

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A 35-year-old obese female presents with worsening hirsutism and elevated testosterone levels. Which of the following is true?

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Flashcards: Diseases of Female Genital Tract

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One type of a rare ovarian surface epithelial tumor is a _____ tumor, which is composed of bladder-like epithelium (urothelium)

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One type of a rare ovarian surface epithelial tumor is a _____ tumor, which is composed of bladder-like epithelium (urothelium)

Brenner

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