Congenital Structural Abnormalities Flashcards
What hormone is produced in male fetuses which suppresses the growth of the paramesonephric ducts, causing them to disappear?
Anti-Mullerian hormone
What do the upper vagina, cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes develop from?
Paramesonephric ducts (Mullerian ducts)
What is a bicornuate uterus?
Two “horns” to the uterus, giving the uterus a heart-shaped appearance.
What are typical complications of a bicornuate uterus?
Successful pregnancies are generally expect but can lead to miscarriage, premature birth and malpresentation
What is imperforate hymen?
Imperforate hymen is where the hymen at the entrance of the vagina is fully formed, without an opening.
What is transverse vaginal septae?
Transverse vaginal septae is caused by an error in development, where a septum (wall) forms transversely across the vagina. This septum can either be perforate (with a hole) or imperforate (completely sealed). Where it is perforate, girls will still menstruate, but can have difficulty with intercourse or tampon use. Where it is imperforate, it will present similarly to an imperforate hymen with cyclical pelvic symptoms without menstruation. Vaginal septae can lead to infertility and pregnancy-related complications.
How is transverse vaginal septae managed? What are potential complications of this?
Surgical correction.
Surgery can lead to vaginal stenosis and recurrent of septae.
What is vaginal hypoplasia?
Abnormally small vagina.
What is vaginal agenesis?
Absent vagina.
What causes vaginal hypoplasia and agenesis?
Failure of Mullerian ducts to proeprly develop and may be associated with absent uterus and cervix.
Are the ovaries affected in vaginal hypoplasia and agenesis?
The ovaries are usually unaffected, leading to normal female sex hormones. The exception to this is with androgen insensitivity syndrome, where there are testes rather than ovaries.
