In female genital tuberculosis, the ovary is comparatively resistant to infection and is involved far less often than the tube. The anatomical reason for this relative sparing is:

• A The rich lymphatic drainage of the ovarian cortex
• B The thick tunica albuginea covering the ovary ✓
• C The absence of blood supply to the ovarian medulla
• D Continuous desquamation of the ovarian surface epithelium

Explanation

The ovary is protected by its dense fibrous capsule, the tunica albuginea, which resists penetration by tuberculous infection spreading from the infected tube. Ovarian involvement therefore usually occurs only after rupture of an adherent pyosalpinx onto the ovarian surface or through an ovulation breach. When involved, the disease tends to remain cortical. This explains why a true tuberculous ovarian abscess is uncommon compared with tuberculous salpingitis.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 18th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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