Ectopic pregnancy, illustration - stock illustration

Ectopic pregnancy, illustration. This is a pregnancy where the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually as here in the Fallopian tube that should channel the fertilised egg to the uterus. The growth of the embryo will rupture the tube and threaten the life of the mother through massive internal bleeding and infection. The embryo needs to be surgically removed. Delicate surgery using an endoscope can preserve tubal function, but many cases leave the Fallopian tube damaged and partial sterility results. The adjacent ovary is at lower centre.