Comment on the histopathological specimen

Ref: Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology, 3rd ed. pg. 356* Teratomas are made up of a variety of parenchymal cell types representing more than 1 germ layer and often all 3 germ layer.* Cells differentiate along various germ lines, essentially recapitulating any tissue of the body. Examples include hair, teeth, fat, skin, muscle, and endocrine tissue.* Arising from totipotential cells, these tumors typically are midline or paraxial.* The most common location is sacrococcygeal (57%).* Because they arise from totipotential cells, they are encountered commonly in the gonads (29%).* The most common gonadal location is the ovary, although they also occur somewhat less frequently in the testes.