The interior contains multiloculated cysts filled with bone, hair, sebum, and or teeth. They are occasionally detected on an x-ray of the abdomen because of the finding of a tooth in the abdomen. Click here for a larger view Radiograph of ovarian teratoma with teeth. Teeth are occassionally part of the squamous components of an ovarian teratoma. Click here for a larger view Mature cystic teratoma-microscopic.
Mesodermal tissue is represented by bone and cartilage.
Endodermal tissue is represented by gastrointestinal and bronchial epithelium and glands, thyroid, and salivary gland tissue. The most common elements are stratified squamous epithelium and its appendages. The generally accepted theory for their origin is parthenogenic development. This origin is suggested because these tumors arise along the line of migration of the primordial germ cells at 4-6 weeks from the yolk sack to the primitive gonad. For this reason, these ovarian neoplasms are often classified as germ cell tumors.