UVA Family Medicine Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Preparation

Simple cysts in the ovaries are primarily the result of the failure of the maturing follicle to ovulate and involute. During a typical menstrual cycle, follicles develop and one follicle matures and is released during ovulation. If the follicle does not release the egg as expected, it can continue to grow and fill with fluid, thereby forming a cyst. These cysts are usually benign and often resolve on their own without treatment, but understanding that their formation is linked to the normal physiological process of ovulation and its disruption is crucial.

Hormonal imbalances and conditions causing excess androgens can lead to other types of ovarian issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but they are not the direct cause of simple cyst formation. Endometriosis, characterized by endometrial tissue growth outside the uterus, involves a different pathological process and does not result in simple ovarian cysts. Lastly, infection of the ovarian tissue can lead to more complex cystic structures or abscesses, rather than simple cysts.