In female genital tuberculosis, the ovary is involved far less often than the fallopian tube. The anatomical reason for this relative resistance is:

• A Absence of lymphatic drainage from the ovary
• B Protection by the thick tunica albuginea ✓
• C High oxygen tension within the ovarian cortex
• D Continuous shedding of the germinal epithelium

Explanation

The dense fibrous tunica albuginea acts as a barrier against invasion by tubercle bacilli. When the ovary is affected, disease usually spreads from an adjacent infected tube and remains confined to the serosal surface, forming adhesions and caseous nodules rather than destroying the cortex. This preserves ovarian function and explains why menstrual cycles may continue even in advanced tubal tuberculosis.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.