A pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, diagnosed by ultrasound, surgical visualization or histopathology.

A pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, diagnosed by ultrasound, surgical visualization or histopathology.

• A. Molar pregnancy
• B. Tubal pregnancy
• C. Ectopic pregnancy
• D. Intrauterine pregnancy

Answer: (A)

A pregnancy located outside the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. This term covers implantation anywhere other than the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube, but it can occur in other locations as well. Diagnosis relies on ultrasound showing no intrauterine gestational sac (and may reveal an adnexal mass or free fluid), surgical visualization (often via laparoscopy) to pinpoint the exact location, and histopathology if tissue is obtained, which can demonstrate chorionic villi outside the uterus to confirm ectopic implantation. A molar pregnancy, by contrast, is a gestational trophoblastic disease with abnormal placental tissue and is not defined by being outside the uterus; an intrauterine pregnancy is simply a normal placement inside the uterus.

A pregnancy located outside the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. This term covers implantation anywhere other than the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube, but it can occur in other locations as well. Diagnosis relies on ultrasound showing no intrauterine gestational sac (and may reveal an adnexal mass or free fluid), surgical visualization (often via laparoscopy) to pinpoint the exact location, and histopathology if tissue is obtained, which can demonstrate chorionic villi outside the uterus to confirm ectopic implantation. A molar pregnancy, by contrast, is a gestational trophoblastic disease with abnormal placental tissue and is not defined by being outside the uterus; an intrauterine pregnancy is simply a normal placement inside the uterus.