The Pathologic Anatomy of Polycystic Ovarian Disease

Abstract

The ovaries may be normal sized (238,852,905) but they are usually enlarged occasionally up to five times normal size. The enlargement is usually bilateral and symmetrical, but rarely may be unilateral (194,206,222,945). Unlike the slightly flattened ovaries of normal adult women, the ovaries of those with polycystic ovarian disease are usually ovoid or globular. They tend to have an oyster-gray color and a smooth glistening tense surface overlaying a thickened pearly gray capsule. The capsule often has characteristic telangiectasia. Numerous small subcapsular (subcortical) cysts are present, measuring 2 – 15 mm (averaging 2 – 6 mm) in diameter (909), and numbering 10 to more than 100 in each ovary (Fig. 4-1). Larger macrofollicular subcortical cysts with clear or yellow fluid may also be present. The cysts may cause bulging of the surface but are often not fully appreciated prior to sectioning because of the thickened ovarian capsule.