uterine prolapse

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Related to uterine prolapse: cystocele

uterine prolapse

the falling, sinking, or sliding of the uterus from its normal location in the body.

uterine prolapse

Pelvic floor hernia; pudendal hernia Gynecology Falling or sliding of the uterus from its normal position in the pelvic cavity into the vaginal canal; the uterus is normally supported by pelvic connective tissue, pubococcygeus muscle, and uterine ligaments which, when weakened allow the uterus to descend into the vaginal canal Etiology Childbirth trauma, especially from large babies or abrupt L&D, loss of muscle tone due to aging and ↓ estrogens Risk factors Multiparity, white, obesity, excess coughing due to chronic bronchitis and asthma, constipation and abdominal muscle strain, large uterine fibroids

Uterine prolapse

Bulging of the uterus into the vagina.
Mentioned in: Pelvic Relaxation


1. literally the falling down, or downward displacement, of a part or viscus. In many instances in animals the prolapse is lateral or even dorsal, e.g. in intervertebral disk prolapse.
2. to undergo such displacement.

anal prolapse
see rectal prolapse.
cloacal prolapse
caused in companion birds by parasitic enteritis.
eye prolapse
the eyeball is displaced from the orbit and is lying on the lower eyelid.
fat prolapse
see perivaginal fat prolapse.
oviduct prolapse
a minor prolapse of oviductal mucosa may stimulate cannibalism in others and the entire oviduct be removed via the cloaca.
parturient bladder prolapse
see parturient urinary bladder prolapse.
preputial prolapse
see preputial eversion.
rectal prolapse, prolapse of rectum
protrusion through the anus of the mucosa only or the complete wall of the rectum. Uncommon in most species but commonplace in the pig because of anatomical weakness in the area, especially in some breeds. The feeding of estrogens exacerbates the tendency.
prolapse retainer
1. a frame made of strong wire or thin metal rod and shaped like a lattice with obvious apertures for defecation and urination; strapped to the rear end of the cow so that the perineum will not bulge when the animal strains.
2. a bottle-shaped appliance sewn in to the vagina to prevent prolapse of the vagina.
third eyelid gland prolapse
uterine prolapse
displacement of the uterus so that the cervix is within the vaginal orifice (first-degree prolapse), the cervix is outside the orifice (second-degree prolapse), or the entire uterus is outside the orifice (third-degree prolapse). May be related causally to hypocalcemia in cattle.
Enlarge picture
Uterine prolapse in a mare. By permission from Knottenbelt DC, Pascoe RR, Diseases and Disorders of the Horse, Saunders, 2003
vaginal prolapse
edematous enlargement of vaginal tissue during estrus. Usually the prolapse contains only the mucosa of the ventral floor, but it may also contain the urinary bladder or the cervix. Kinking of the urethra may cause obstruction and eventual rupture of the bladder. Called also estral eversion, vaginal hyperplasia.


pertaining to the uterus; see also endometrium, endometrial.

uterine abscess
most common in cattle and in dorsal wall due to injury during insemination or intrauterine therapy for infertility or instrumental obstetric manipulation.
uterine accommodation limited
may contribute to flexural deformities of limbs especially in foals; obesity of the dam may contribute to the limitation.
uterine artery rupture
occurs during parturition, and often accompanies uterine prolapse in cows. There is marked mucosal pallor and death occurs quickly due to hemorrhagic anemia. In mares, rupture of the middle uterine artery causes hemorrhage, colic, and often, death.
uterine caruncle
see uterine caruncle.
uterine cervix
see cervix uteri.
uterine discharge
copious, foul-smelling discharge in postpartum septic metritis in cows; thick, white, small volume discharge in endometritis.
uterine displacement
includes torsion, downward deviation in sows, inguinal and ventral hernia, prolapse.
uterine distention
palpable per rectum in cows, mares, through the abdominal wall in cats and dogs; pregnancy the common cause, pyometra, accumulation of secretions in imperforate hymen rarely. Pregnancy distinguishable in cows and mares by presence of membranes, or cotyledons in cows or fetus or fremitus in middle uterine artery.
uterine downward displacement
occurs in deep-bodied, pregnant sows with large litters and dystocia results.
uterine expulsive deficiency
see uterine inertia (below).
uterine gland
simple or branched, tubular glands extending into the lamina propria-submucosa; secrete mucus, lipids, glycogen, protein.
uterine horn
one of the pair of tubular extensions from the uterine body. Amongst the domestic species the horns are largest in those that bear many young (polytocous), e.g. sows, bitches, and shorter in those that bear single young (unitocous). Birds have two but only the left one is well developed or functional.
uterine inertia
primary, due to overstretching of the uterus or toxemia or obesity, or secondary, due to exhaustion, lack of myometrial contractions.
uterine infection
uterine involution
return to normal size after the delivery of the fetus.
uterine involution failure
common sequel to normal parturition in aged, high-producing cows, especially those suffering from milk fever or ketosis; metritis is a common sequel.
uterine lochia
see lochia.
uterine malformation
includes uterus didelphys, uterus unicornis and segmental aplasia of any part of the tubular organ.
uterine milk
secretions of the uterine endometrium in the early part of pregnancy; sustains the fetus until placental attachments are fully functional.
uterine mucosa
uterine neoplasm
uncommon but fibroleiomyoma occurs in bitches, leiomyoma and lymphosarcoma in cows.
uterine prolapse
see uterine prolapse.
uterine rupture
occurs usually during parturition and due to human intervention. Repairable if recognized but may lead to peritonitis.
uterine sand
dry, inspissated granules, yellow in color, found occasionally on the exterior of the bovine placenta. Probably derived from blood leaked into the lumen of the uterus in early pregnancy.
uterine stump granuloma
chronic inflammation due to infection or nonabsorbable sutures used in closing the stump after ovariohysterectomy.
uterine swab
swab of the uterus for bacteriological and virological examination for pathogens likely to adversely affect fertility. Used in fertility maintenance of mares.
uterine torsion
torsion of the body of the uterus in cows and mares and of a horn of the uterus in the sow. Causes dystocia characterized by the nonappearance of any part of the fetus in the vulva. Occurs rarely in dogs and cats.
uterine tube
a slender tube extending from the uterus to the ovary on the same side, conveying ova to the cavity of the uterus and permitting passage of spermatozoa in the opposite direction. It is mostly suspended in a fold of peritoneum (mesosalpinx) that may enclose a cavity (ovarian bursa). It terminates at the ovarian end in a dilated funnel (infundibulum). Called also fallopian tube and oviduct.
When the mature ovum leaves the ovary it enters the fringed opening of the uterine tube, through which it travels slowly to the uterus. When conception takes place, the tube is usually the site of fertilization.
uterine tube occlusion
may be congenital, or constricted by scar tissue in chronic peritonitis; a rare cause of infertility.
References in periodicals archive ?
On examination, the unilaterally uterine prolapse and first degree perineal laceration were diagnosed.
Laparoscopic uterine sling suspension: a new technique of uterine suspension in women desiring surgical management of uterine prolapse with uterine conservation.
Of these, 1194 patients were without any history or physical examination finding of prolapse, and 233 patients were having complained or presented physical examination findings of different degrees of uterine prolapse.
Although the short follow-up interval represents a limitation, these trial results suggest that sacrospinous fixation without hysterectomy represents a reasonable option for women with bothersome uterine prolapse who would like to avoid hysterectomy.
There are 2 other cases in the literature of women who, like our patient, had uterine prolapse that went untreated until they were in renal failure.
Despite huge investment in the prevention of uterine prolapse, the effectiveness of these programs have been frequently questioned.
For example, beyond the physical results of fistula, uterine prolapse, and incontinence, there is documentation of profound effects on women's daily activities.
13) The procedure has been shown to be associated with uterine prolapse and risk of ureteric injuries.
Other conditions that are prevented include vaginal hyperplasia, a gross swelling of the vaginal wall that occurs during the normal heat cycle; uterine torsion, a twisting of the uterus that may occur late in pregnancy; uterine prolapse, the bulging of the uterus into the vagina; and a variety of infections, cysts and cancers of the uterus and ovaries.
This form of hysterectomy is ideal when there is uterine prolapse and minimal uterine enlargement.
What causes uterine prolapse, and what can be done to alleviate the condition?