MEANING
1. Located in an abnormal position or occurring outside its normal place, chiefly in medical contexts.
2. Of a pregnancy, implanted outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube.
Use it for
Describe tissue or another structure outside its usual anatomical position.Give a clinical description of an abnormal bodily location without sensationalizing the diagnosis.
Words that belong together
- ectopic tissue
- ectopic focus
- ectopic growth
- ectopic structure
- ectopic pregnancy
- diagnose an ectopic pregnancy
- ectopic implantation
On the page
The scan showed ectopic tissue near the organ rather than in its usual location.
The physician explained why the ectopic pregnancy required urgent evaluation.
Nearby words
Word forms
- Base
- ectopic
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Usage notes
A clinical adjective meaning abnormally located; it is not inherently horrific and should be used medically accurately. Sense 2: This is a specific medical use; a suspected ectopic pregnancy requires urgent professional assessment.
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