birth canal
noun
: the channel formed by the cervix, vagina, and vulva through which the fetus passes during birth
Examples of birth canal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But shoulder dystocia — which means the baby’s shoulder became caught in the birth canal — complicated the delivery.
—
Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024
This prepares your body for the baby's passage through the birth canal.
—Lambeth Hochwald, Parents, 7 Jan. 2024
Testimony and an autopsy confirmed that the fetus died in utero before passing through the birth canal.
—CBS News, 16 Dec. 2023
In October 1994, Carr was assisting midwife Judie Pradier at a home birth in Howard County, Md., when the baby’s shoulder became stuck in the birth canal.
—Amy Brittain, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
Babies delivered vaginally are coated in the bacteria that live in their mothers’ birth canal.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2011
Hips Widen Along with your stomach and ribcage, your pelvis must also widen to provide an easier exit down the birth canal during delivery.
—Jessica Migala, Health, 18 Aug. 2023
The baby could grow too large to pass safely through the birth canal.
—Nancy Gottesman, Parents, 14 July 2023
The soft spots exist so your baby can safely negotiate the narrow birth canal and allow for brain and skull growth in the first year.
—Denise Schipani, Parents, 22 June 2023
Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024
This prepares your body for the baby's passage through the birth canal.
—Lambeth Hochwald, Parents, 7 Jan. 2024
Testimony and an autopsy confirmed that the fetus died in utero before passing through the birth canal.
—CBS News, 16 Dec. 2023
In October 1994, Carr was assisting midwife Judie Pradier at a home birth in Howard County, Md., when the baby’s shoulder became stuck in the birth canal.
—Amy Brittain, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
Babies delivered vaginally are coated in the bacteria that live in their mothers’ birth canal.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2011
Hips Widen Along with your stomach and ribcage, your pelvis must also widen to provide an easier exit down the birth canal during delivery.
—Jessica Migala, Health, 18 Aug. 2023
The baby could grow too large to pass safely through the birth canal.
—Nancy Gottesman, Parents, 14 July 2023
The soft spots exist so your baby can safely negotiate the narrow birth canal and allow for brain and skull growth in the first year.
—Denise Schipani, Parents, 22 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'birth canal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1884, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near birth canal
Cite this Entry
“Birth canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birth%20canal. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
birth canal
noun
: the channel through which the fetus of a mammal passes during birth
Medical Definition
birth canal
noun
: the channel formed by the cervix, vagina, and vulva through which the fetus passes during birth
More from Merriam-Webster on birth canal
Nglish: Translation of birth canal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about birth canal
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