Cyst

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an article 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 encystment.

A cyst is a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body. Cysts may occur as a result of a developmental error in the embryo during pregnancy or they may be caused by infections. However, sometimes they arise spontaneously with no apparent cause. Cysts are often dangerous as they may have negative effects (for instance, compression) on the nearby tissue. They may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst.

A cyst may also be a sack that encloses an organism during a dormant period, such as in the case of certain parasites. This type of cyst may, for instance, protect a parasite from the churning acid of the stomach so it may pass through to the intestines unharmed where it can then break out.

Cystic fibrosis is an example of a genetic disorder whereby cysts develop in lung tissue and release mucus into the lungs (see Alveoli) reducing lung capacity and causing persistent coughing.

[edit] Locations

Cysts can occur anywhere in the body; some of common ones are listed here:

Bronchial cyst
Dentigerous Cyst (associated with the crowns of non-erupted teeth)
Ganglion cyst (hand/foot joints and tendons)
Glial Cyst (in the brain)
Keratocyst (in the jaws, these can appear solitary or associated with the Gorlin-Goltz or Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The latest World Health Organization classification considers Keratocysts as tumors rather than cysts)
Nabothian cyst (cervix)
Ovarian cyst (ovaries, functional and pathological)
Paratubal cyst (fallopian tube)
Pilonidal cyst (skin infection near tailbone)
Renal cyst (kidneys)
Radicular cyst (associated with the roots of non-vital teeth)
Sebaceous cyst (sac below skin)
Tarlov cyst (spine)
Vocal fold cyst