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

---

verb

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

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

McLarnon said, before her surgery, in 2016, she was told it was "easy" to fix the prolapse and was told it was a simple operation but said she was not told about the risks.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

"I'd never even heard the term prolapse before," she says, and since talking openly about it she's realised it's often a "taboo" subject despite being very common.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

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

Not long after my panicked online search, the bulge I felt when removing my menstrual cup receded back upward along with any fears I had surrounding prolapse.

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 Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

Related Words

• cascade
• collapse
• crash
• dip
• disembark
• dive
• go down
• penetrate
• plummet
• plunge
• settle
• sink
• slide
• stumble
• subside
• swoop
• trickle
• tumble