prolapse

1 of 2

noun

: the falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations

prolapse

2 of 2

verb

pro·​lapse prō-ˈlaps How to pronounce prolapse (audio)
prolapsed; prolapsing

intransitive verb

: to undergo prolapse

Examples of prolapse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In severe cases, mitral valve prolapse could lead to serious complications such as heart attack and stroke, according to the organization. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024 The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office announced the baby’s cause of death was lack of oxygen and blood to his brain and a prolapse of the umbilical cord and placenta due to a maternal assault and demise, the Chicago Tribune reported. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2024 Some claimed that an episiotomy would prevent urinary incontinence and prolapse. Korin Miller, Health, 15 Sep. 2023 This can cause problems with bladder control, involuntary loss of stool, or pelvic organ prolapse. Tiffany Ayuda, Health, 12 July 2023 About a quarter of U.S. women suffer from pelvic dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, according to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Rina Raphael, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2023 According to the American Heart Association, mitral valve prolapse is a condition that affects the valve between the left heart chambers. Leah Vredenbregt, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2023 Martinez had an emergency C-section during her last pregnancy after her umbilical cord came out before her baby, a rare but dangerous condition known as an umbilical cord prolapse that can deprive a baby of vital blood flow and oxygen. Jocelyn Contreras, CNN, 18 Feb. 2023 In all, 28 birds were taken that night, Jennings told me, including two with missing appendages, one with balance problems, and another being watched for prolapse. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2022
Verb
Regular pelvic floor exercises, says Crouch, are a great way to fend off leaking and prolapse. Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2022 About one in eight women has surgery to repair their pelvic organ prolapse during their lifetime, with a portion of those surgeries completed transvaginally using surgical mesh, according to the FDA. CBS News, 25 Sep. 2020 My 64-year-old patient ended up having a cystocele, otherwise known as a fallen or prolapsed bladder. Marcos Del Rosario-Santiago, chicagotribune.com, 14 Oct. 2019 Women can also have pelvic organ prolapsed that prevents complete bladder emptying. Christina Oehler, Health.com, 31 July 2019 The lack of core strength can also lead to prolapse issues later. Melissa Dahl, The Cut, 30 May 2018 Victoria’s umbilical cord prolapsed and the baby was stillborn on Feb. 1, 2017. Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 17 Apr. 2018 Sometimes, internal hemorrhoids can prolapse outside the anus, collecting minute particles of feces or other materials and leading to intense itching known as pruritus ani. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolapse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin prolapsus, from Late Latin, fall, from Latin prolabi to fall or slide forward, from pro- forward + labi to slide — more at pro-, sleep

First Known Use

Noun

1676, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prolapse was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near prolapse

Cite this Entry

“Prolapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolapse. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

prolapse

1 of 2 noun
pro·​lapse prō-ˈlaps How to pronounce prolapse (audio) ˈprō-ˌ How to pronounce prolapse (audio)
: the falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations
prolapse of the uterus
prolapse of an intervertebral disc

prolapse

2 of 2 intransitive verb
pro·​lapse prō-ˈlaps How to pronounce prolapse (audio)
prolapsed; prolapsing
: to undergo prolapse

More from Merriam-Webster on prolapse

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