retroflexion

American  

[re-truh-flek-shuhn] / ˌrɛ trəˈflɛk ʃən /

Or retroflection

noun

1. a bending backward.

2. Pathology. a bending backward of the body of the uterus upon the cervix.

3. Phonetics.

   1. retroflex articulation.

   2. the acoustic quality resulting from retroflex articulation; r-color.

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retroflexion British  

/ ˌrɛtrəʊˈflɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act or condition of bending or being bent backwards

2. phonetics the act of turning the tip of the tongue upwards and backwards towards the hard palate in the articulation of a vowel or a consonant

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Etymology

Origin of retroflexion

1835–45; < New Latin retrōflexiōn- (stem of retrōflexiō ), equivalent to Latin retrōflex ( us ) retroflex + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Her medical attendant had recognized the existence of a retroflexion, but no pessary remained in situ for more than a day or so, and he suspected that she herself pulled them out.

From Fat and Blood An Essay on the Treatment of Certain Forms of Neurasthenia and Hysteria by Mitchell, John K.

We have therefore to consider the following conditions as pathological: anteflexion, retroflexion, retroversion, inversion, prolapse and procidentia.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various

If the womb is turned backwards, the condition is called retroversion; if it is bent or flexed backward upon itself the condition is called retroflexion.

From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by Robinson, William J.