Ectopic pregnancy

Definition

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. This condition is not viable for the pregnancy to proceed normally and poses serious health risks to the mother.

Related terms

Embryo:

An early stage of development in multicellular organisms after fertilization but before becoming a fetus.

Fallopian Tubes:

Tubes through which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus; the most common site for ectopic pregnancies.

Implantation:

The process by which a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus where it can then grow and develop into a baby