Definition

1. Noun:

   • The slipping or falling out of place of an organ: In medicine, a "prolapse" refers to the condition where an internal organ, such as the uterus, rectum, or bladder, descends or slips from its normal anatomical position.

2. Verb:

   • To slip or fall out of place, as of body parts: To undergo or experience a prolapse; to move from a normal position, typically referring to an internal organ.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The patient was diagnosed with a uterine prolapse.
  • Surgery may be required to correct a severe rectal prolapse.

• Verb:

  • The intervertebral disc can prolapse and press on a nerve.
  • In some cases, the pelvic organs may prolapse after childbirth.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is almost exclusively used in medical and anatomical contexts to describe the displacement of organs, particularly within the pelvic floor or spinal column.
  • Mitral valve prolapse is a common heart condition where the valve leaflets bulge into the left atrium.

Variants and Related Words

• Prolapsus (n): An older or less common variant spelling for "prolapse," used with the same meaning.

  • The term 'prolapsus' is sometimes found in older medical texts.

• Prolapsed (adj): Describing an organ that has undergone prolapse.

  • The surgeon repaired the prolapsed bladder.

Synonyms

• Descensus (n): A medical synonym for prolapse, meaning a dropping down.
• Ptosis (n): A general term for the drooping or falling of an organ, though it often specifically refers to the eyelid.

Related Phrases

• Organ prolapse: The full term specifying the condition.

  • Pelvic organ prolapse is a common issue for many women.

• Prolapse repair: Refers to the surgical procedure to correct a prolapse.

  • She is recovering well from her prolapse repair surgery.

Noun

1. the slipping or falling out of place of an organ (as the uterus)

Verb

1. slip or fall out of place, as of body parts
   • prolapsed rectum