Glossary

Here are definitions of medical terms related to ectopic pregnancy:

Endometriosis: A condition which results in women when menstrual blood backs up through the tube. Implants of this tissue can ? the tube heading to a tubal pregnancy.

Fallopian tube: A narrow tube about 5 to 6 inches in length that connects the ovary to the uterus. For a normal pregnancy to occur, a fertilized egg must travel through the tube to reach the womb (uterus).

Implantation: The attachment of a fertilized egg to the lining of the uterus.

In-vitro fertilization: A technique which allows egg fertilization outside the body in a test tube. This technique can help women with severely damaged tubes to become pregnant.

Laparoscopy: An operation performed under anesthesia whereby the gynecologist can look directly into the abdomen and pelvis through a small incision in the belly button.

MRI: A sensitive technique used to image internal organs using a strong magnet.

Ovary: A female internal organ that produces and releases an egg during a woman's fertile period each month.

Rh blood group: Is a group of proteins on the surface of red blood cells in some individuals. When present the blood type is called RH-positive. When absent, the individual blood type is RH-negative.

Ultrasound: A diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body.

Uterus: The womb, where normal pregnancy implants and develops.