What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is specifically defined as a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. This occurs when a fertilized egg implants in a location that is not conducive to proper fetal development and typically lacks the space and resources necessary for a viable pregnancy.

In cases of ectopic pregnancy, the developing tissue can cause significant complications, such as rupture of the fallopian tube, which can lead to internal bleeding and pose serious health risks. Understanding this condition is crucial for prenatal care, as it often necessitates prompt medical intervention to prevent life-threatening situations for the pregnant individual.

The other options describe different scenarios: a pregnancy inside the uterus represents a normal pregnancy, a non-viable pregnancy within the uterus refers to conditions like a miscarriage or blighted ovum, and implantation in the cervix describes another type of abnormal pregnancy known as a cervical pregnancy. All of these do not accurately define the nature of an ectopic pregnancy.