Word parts
What it means
The egg settles in the wrong place, about 9 times in 10 in a fallopian tubefuh-LOH-pee-un TOOBOne of the two tubes that carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus, where fertilization usually happens.Full entry , which is why it is also called a tubal pregnancy. It cannot grow into a baby there. As it grows it can burst the tube and cause life-threatening bleeding. Risk factors include past pelvic inflammatory diseasePEL-vik in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee dih-ZEEZInfection of the female upper reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.Full entry , tubal surgery, a previous ectopic pregnancy and smoking. Treatment is the drug methotrexate or surgery.
For the nurse
In a client of childbearing age with one-sided lower abdominal pain and spotting, report at once. Sudden severe pain, shoulder pain and signs of shock can mean the tube has ruptured.
At a glance
| Spanish | embarazo ectópico |
|---|---|
| Also written | tubal pregnancy, ectopic pregnancies |
Related terms
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
rupture
A tear or burst in an organ, vessel, tissue or membrane.
pelvic inflammatory disease
Infection of the female upper reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
fallopian tube
One of the two tubes that carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus, where fertilization usually happens.