Cyst

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about cysts in the body. For the ICAO airport code CYST, see St. Theresa Point Airport. For hard-shelled resting stages of some small organisms, see Microbial cyst.

A cyst is a closed sac having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. They may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, the cyst could go away by itself or will have to be removed using surgery.

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[edit] Locations

[edit] Cystic fibrosis

Despite being described in 1938 as involving the microscopic appearance of cysts in the pancreas[1] cystic fibrosis is an example of a genetic disorder whose name is related to fibrosis of the cystic duct and does not involve actual cysts.[2]

[edit] Benign vs malignant

Many cysts in the body are benign (functional), the result of plugged ducts or other natural body outlets for secretions. However, a few are tumors or are produced within tumors, and are potentially malignant:

[edit] Related structures

A pseudocyst is collection without a distinct membrane.

A syrinx in the spinal cord or brainstem is sometimes inaccurately referred to as a cyst.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Anderson, D.H. (1938). "Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas and its relation to celiac disease". Am J Dis Child 56: 344-399. 
  2. ^ Greenholz SK, Krishnadasan B, Marr C, Cannon R (1997). "Biliary obstruction in infants with cystic fibrosis requiring Kasai portoenterostomy". J. Pediatr. Surg. 32 (2): 175–9; discussion 179–80. doi:10.1016/S0022-3468(97)90174-3. PMID 9044117. 

[edit] External links

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