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prolapse

American  
[proh-laps, proh-laps, proh-laps] / proʊˈlæps, ˈproʊ læps, proʊˈlæps /

noun

  1. Pathology. a falling down of an organ or part, as the uterus, from its normal position.


verb (used without object)

prolapsed, prolapsing
  1. to fall or slip down or out of place.

prolapse British  
/ ˈprəʊlæps, prəʊˈlæps /

noun

  1. Also called: prolapsus.  the sinking or falling down of an organ or part, esp the womb Compare proptosis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (of an organ, etc) to sink from its normal position

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of prolapse

First recorded in 1555–65, prolapse is from the Late Latin word prōlāpsus a slipping forth. See pro- 1, lapse

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

When these muscles become overly tight or loose, patients can experience issues like pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence—which all have serious implications if left untreated.

From Slate Oct. 6, 2025

Through the procedure, mesh implants are placed into the body to treat pelvic organ prolapse which can occur after childbirth.

From BBC May 12, 2025

Now, just over a year on, Miss Cotson said she lived with chronic pain, prolapse, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

From BBC May 2, 2025

Estimates vary but around 50% of people who have had babies experience some degree of prolapse and the use of forceps or a vacuum during birth increases the risk.

From Salon Oct. 25, 2024

There was ectopia vesicae and prolapse of the intestine at the umbilicus; the right kidney was elongated; the right vas deferens opened into the ureter.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Walter L. (Walter Lytle) Pyle

A surgeon found to have left patients in "agony" after using artificial mesh to treat prolapsed bowels faces allegations he falsified medical notes.

From BBC May 12, 2025

The doctors’ verdict: Devi had suffered a prolapsed uterus and would need a hysterectomy.

From Seattle Times Nov. 20, 2023

A Czech native who came to Britain 10 years ago, she left her job cleaning offices in mid-2021 because of pain from a prolapsed pelvic organ.

From New York Times Jan. 9, 2023

Artrip, who has a prolapsed uterus that would make pregnancy risky, had also taken the morning-after pill, then tried to induce a miscarriage.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 16, 2020

It should be begun very gradually at the opening of the skating season, and not undertaken if the internal organs are prolapsed.

From What a Young Woman Ought to Know by Mary Wood-Allen

At nearly 18 weeks, Zurawski was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, a condition that causes premature dilation and prolapsing membranes.

From Slate Mar. 7, 2023

Their eyes widen and fall at the same time as if their social skills are prolapsing, and their voice falters as they are the most honest they’ve been all year.

From The Guardian Dec. 18, 2016

The building next to us seems to be demolishing itself: huge ventilation panels, satellite dishes and other nondescript chunks of edifice-guttery keep prolapsing and crashing down onto its lower roof.

From New York Times Mar. 25, 2015

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