Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in tissue outside of the uterus, and the placenta and fetus begin to develop there. The most common site is within a fallopian tube; however, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, the abdomen, and the lower portion of the uterus (the cervix).
Review Date:
12/26/2011
Reviewed By:
Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Senior Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.