Endometriosis: Difference between revisions
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In a typical monthly menstrual cycle, endometrial cells lining the uterine walls are stimulated through a release of horomones and multiply in order to provide an ideal environment for egg fertiliztion <ref name="medline">Endometriosis. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. January 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000915.htm. Accessed: February 17, 2010.</ref>. If fertilization of the egg does not occur, the uterus sloughs off the lining of blood (endometrial tissue) and menstrual flow occurs for 3 to 5 days <ref name="pathology">Goodman C., Fuller K. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.</ref>. | In a typical monthly menstrual cycle, endometrial cells lining the uterine walls are stimulated through a release of horomones and multiply in order to provide an ideal environment for egg fertiliztion <ref name="medline">Endometriosis. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. January 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000915.htm. Accessed: February 17, 2010.</ref>. If fertilization of the egg does not occur, the uterus sloughs off the lining of blood (endometrial tissue) and menstrual flow occurs for 3 to 5 days <ref name="pathology">Goodman C., Fuller K. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.</ref>. | ||
When affected by endometriosis, endometrial tissue is misplaced outside the uterus in various places. Despite the location of the tissue, the same monthly menstrual cycle occurs <ref name="mayoclinic" />. The misplaced tissue engorges with blood, as it would in the uterine lining. Since this blood has no course to drain out of the vagina and remains where it is, and as a result forms "chocolate cysts" wherever endometrial cells are located <ref name="pathology" />. In addition to cysts, trapped blood may lead to scar tissue, adhesions and irritation of the surrounding tissue which may lead to pelvic pain and fertility problems <ref name="mayoclinic" />. | |||
Blood deposits or ectopic implantation may occur anywhere in the body but most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, broad ligaments, bladder, pelvic musculature, perineum, vulva, vagina, or intestines <ref name="pathology" /><ref name="mayoclinic" />. It has been discovered that endometrial tissue has the ablility to migrate through the body, and in less common cases has been found in the abdominal cavity, kidneys, small bowel, appendix, diaphragm, pleura, bone and even the brain <ref name="pathology" />. | |||
== Prevalence == | == Prevalence == |
Revision as of 23:38, 4 March 2010
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Definition/Description[edit | edit source]
Endometriosis is a female reproductive disorder which affects the lining of the uterus, otherwise known as the endometrium[1] . This estrogen-dependent disorder is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus and becomes apparent after the start of menses [2].
In a typical monthly menstrual cycle, endometrial cells lining the uterine walls are stimulated through a release of horomones and multiply in order to provide an ideal environment for egg fertiliztion [3]. If fertilization of the egg does not occur, the uterus sloughs off the lining of blood (endometrial tissue) and menstrual flow occurs for 3 to 5 days [2].
When affected by endometriosis, endometrial tissue is misplaced outside the uterus in various places. Despite the location of the tissue, the same monthly menstrual cycle occurs [1]. The misplaced tissue engorges with blood, as it would in the uterine lining. Since this blood has no course to drain out of the vagina and remains where it is, and as a result forms "chocolate cysts" wherever endometrial cells are located [2]. In addition to cysts, trapped blood may lead to scar tissue, adhesions and irritation of the surrounding tissue which may lead to pelvic pain and fertility problems [1].
Blood deposits or ectopic implantation may occur anywhere in the body but most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, broad ligaments, bladder, pelvic musculature, perineum, vulva, vagina, or intestines [2][1]. It has been discovered that endometrial tissue has the ablility to migrate through the body, and in less common cases has been found in the abdominal cavity, kidneys, small bowel, appendix, diaphragm, pleura, bone and even the brain [2].
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Endometriosis. MayoClinic.com. Sept. 11, 2008. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289. Accessed : February 17, 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Goodman C., Fuller K. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
- ↑ Endometriosis. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. January 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000915.htm. Accessed: February 17, 2010.