Repro (male + female + OBGYN) Flashcards
(158 cards)
Pathogenesis of endometriosis + most common site
Endometriosis is a condition characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The tissue continues to respond to normal hormonal cycles, proliferating and shedding with each cycle.
However, lacking an outlet, this cyclic shedding leads to local inflammation, accumulation of blood, and formation of endometriomas—cystic ovarian masses filled with old blood. Chronic inflammation contributes to pelvic adhesions and fibrosis, often causing pain and infertility. Macrophages ingest the breakdown products like hemosiderin, appearing as hemosiderin-laden macrophages.
What is post-partum endometritis?
Postpartum endometritis is a polymicrobial infection of the uterine lining that occurs most commonly after a cesarean delivery.
Clinically, it presents with fever, lower abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, malodorous lochia (purulent vaginal discharge), and leukocytosis. If untreated, it can lead to peritonitis and sepsis due to spread of the infection.
What are the predisposing factors and pathophysiology behind postpartum endometritis?
Postpartum endometritis occurs when the normally sterile upper genital tract becomes contaminated with cervicovaginal flora during labor and delivery, especially in cases of prolonged labor or ruptured membranes. After a cesarean section, the risk increases due to foreign bodies like suture material and hematomas, which can serve as sites for polymicrobial infection. Additionally, suturing of the uterine incision may lead to myometrial necrosis, further predisposing the tissue to infection.
What is a craniopharyngioma?
Craniopharyngioma is a benign, slow-growing brain tumor derived from Rathke’s pouch remnants.
It commonly occurs in children and can cause:
Bitemporal hemianopsia (due to optic chiasm compression)
Growth retardation or hypopituitarism (if it compresses the pituitary)
Imaging often shows a calcified, cystic suprasellar mass with “motor oil”-like fluid.
When are fetuses most susceptible to teratogens?
Before 8 weeks of development - organogenesis
What is the teratogenic effect of aminoglycosides on the fetus?
Ototoxicity. Mnemonic: ‘A mean guy hit the baby in the ear.’
What is the teratogenic effect of lithium on the fetus?
Ebstein anomaly (a congenital heart defect).
What is the teratogenic effect of warfarin on the fetus?
Bone and cartilage deformities (stippling of epiphyses, nasal and limb hypoplasia), optic nerve atrophy, cerebral hemorrhage. Mnemonic: ‘In war, you need strong bones to march and optics to see the enemy.’
What is the teratogenic effect of maternal diabetes on the fetus?
Caudal regression syndrome, cardiac defects (e.g., transposition of great arteries, VSD), neural tube defects, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, polycythemia, respiratory distress syndrome.
What is the teratogenic effect of ACE inhibitors on the fetus?
Renal failure
Oligohydrammnios
Hypocalvaria
What is the teratogenic effect of antiepileptics on the fetus?
Neural tube defects
Cardiac defects
Cleft palate
Skeletal anomalies
Which antiepileptics are the most teratogenic?
Valproate
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
Phenobarbital
What is the teratogenic effect of isotretinoin on the fetus?
Craniofacial dysmorphisms, CNS, cardiac and thymic defects. Contraception mandatory
What is the teratogenic effect of alcohol on the fetus?
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Developmental anomalies
Facial anomalies
Limb dislocation
Heart defect
Holoprosencephaly in severe cases
What is neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)?
Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a withdrawal syndrome in newborns caused by in utero exposure to opioids or other substances.
Symptoms include:
* Irritability, tremors, high-pitched crying
* Poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea
* Sweating, sneezing, yawning
Management includes supportive care and sometimes opioid weaning protocols (e.g., morphine or methadone).
What is agenesis in morphogenesis?
Absent organ due to absent primordial tissue.
What is aplasia in morphogenesis?
Absent organ despite presence of primordial tissue.
What is hypoplasia in morphogenesis?
Incomplete organ development with primordial tissue present.
What is disruption in morphogenesis?
Secondary breakdown of normal tissue with normal developmental potential (e.g., amniotic band syndrome).
What is deformation in morphogenesis?
Extrinsic mechanical distortion (e.g., congenital torticollis), usually occurring during the fetal period.
What is malformation in morphogenesis?
Intrinsic developmental defect (e.g., cleft lip/palate), typically occurring during the embryonic period.
What is a sequence in morphogenesis?
Multiple abnormalities resulting from a single primary embryologic event (e.g., oligohydramnios → Potter sequence).
What is the difference between disruption and deformation?
Disruption is a breakdown of previously normal tissue due to external factors, while deformation is a mechanical distortion of normally developing tissue due to external pressure or constraint.
Do syncytiotrophoblast cells express MHC class I, and why?
No, syncytiotrophoblasts do not express classical MHC class I or class II molecules.
This helps prevent maternal immune rejection of the fetus by avoiding recognition and attack by maternal T cells, thus promoting immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface.