[Faline]

A dermoid cyst, or mature teratoma is a benign type of ovarian tumor. They are pretty common so we see them frequently in our lab. They arise from germ cells, which can differentiate into multiple types of mature tissue seen throughout the body. They are usually a cystic mass filled with a yellow, waxy substance (keratin) intermixed with hair.

Most teratomas we receive are filled with the waxy substance intermixed with hair, but rarely do we see a well-formed tooth.

Here you see the hair mixed in with the keratinatious debris:


A well-formed tooth:


Dermoid cysts often cause no symptoms and are noted as an enlargement of the ovary on a routine pelvic exam. These cysts need to be surgically removed (either open or laparoscopically) because there is risk of torsion (twisting) and rupture. Removal should not affect fertility if the ovary is spared. As with any pelvic surgery, adhesions are a concern.

[marinanicholls]

dskjlas;fkl these are so gross teeth/hair where they're not supposed to be creeps me out

[Rusty666]

[Sharon]

Very surreal

[Darkest Angel]

[Audioguru]

Originally Posted by darkest angel ↗

Too cool for the post!

[Oswald2001]

Seems to me that medical science would find a way to generate entire organs for transplant utilizing the mechanisms by which the hair and tooth are generated by these cysts.

[mikejudd]

I would love your job... It may sound bizarre but I would love a teratoma in a jar on my desk lol

[Sobekkare]

Wow... so fascinating.