Molar pregnancy is an abnormal form of pregnancy, characterized by the

presence of a hydatidiform mole (or hydatid mole, mola hytadidosa). Molar

pregnancy comprises two distinct entities, partial and complete moles. Complete
moles have no identifiable embryonic or fetal tissues and arise when an empty egg
with no nucleus is fertilized by two normal sperm. In contrast, a partial mole occurs
when a normal egg is fertilized by two spermatozoa. Hydatidiform moles may
develop into choriocarcinoma, a form of cancer.

Pathophysiology: A complete mole contains no fetal tissue. Ninety percent are

46,XX, and 10% are 46,XY. All chromosomes are of paternal origin. An enucleate
egg is fertilized by a haploid sperm (which then duplicates its chromosomes), or the
egg is fertilized by 2 sperm. In a complete mole, the chorionic villi have grapelike
(hydatidiform) swelling, and trophoblastic hyperplasia is present.

A rare form of recurrent complete mole is biparental in origin and results

from misexpression of imprinted genes. This type of mole occurs when maternal
imprints in the ovum are lost. Although the resulting conceptus has genes from both
parents, loss of maternal imprinting gives the functional equivalent of 2 paternal
genomes. Recurrent molar pregnancies of this type are familial and appear to be
inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. A candidate region of chromosome arm
19q13.4 has been identified.

With a partial mole, fetal tissue is often present. Fetal erythrocytes and
vessels in the villi are a common finding. The chromosomal complement is 69,XXX
or 69,XXY. This results from fertilization of a haploid ovum and duplication of the
paternal haploid chromosomes or from dispermy. Tetraploidy may also be
encountered. As in a complete mole, hyperplastic trophoblastic tissue and swelling
of the chorionic villi occur.

Female Reproductive Organs

Organ Functions
1. Vagina a. Passageway of menstrual flow
b. Female organ for coitus; receives male penis
c. Passageway for the fetus during birth
2. Uterus a. Houses and nourishes fetus until sufficiently mature to function
outside the mother’s body
b. Uterine muscles propels fetus outside.
3. Fallopian Tube a. Provides passageway for ovum as it travels from ovary to
uterus.
b. Site of Fertilization.
4. Ovaries a. Endocrine glands that secrete estrogen and progesterone.
b. Contain ova within follicles for maturation during the woman’s
reproductive life.