Article Sections

Introduction

Imperforate hymen is a congenital anomaly of the female genital outflow tract in which the hymenal membrane completely covers the vaginal opening, leading to obstruction.  Imperforate hymen is occasionally diagnosed in the neonate, but most are not diagnosed until menarche, when patients begin to have cyclic lower abdominal pain due to uterine cramping and obstructed menstruation.

Pathogenesis

The structures of the female genital tract can be divided based on their embryologic origin ( Figure 1), as follows:

  • The ovaries are derived from the genital ridge.
  • The fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina are derived from the müllerian (paramesonephric) ducts.
  • The lower vagina and hymen are derived from the urogenital sinus; the hymen is a membrane that separates the vaginal canal from the urogenital sinus.

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Figures

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Tables

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