ectópica

Ectópica is a term used in medicine to describe a condition where a biological structure or tissue is found in an abnormal location. The most common context for this term is ectopic pregnancy, also known as a tubal pregnancy. In this case, a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube, but it can also occur in the ovary, cervix, or abdominal cavity. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and pose a serious risk to the mother's health due to potential rupture and severe internal bleeding.

Beyond pregnancy, the term ectópica can be applied to other situations. For instance, ectopic beats are abnormal heart rhythms where the electrical impulse originates from a place other than the sinoatrial node, the heart's natural pacemaker. These can cause skipped beats or a feeling of palpitations. Similarly, ectopic tissue refers to cells or a group of cells found in a location where they are not normally present. An example might be ectopic thyroid tissue, where thyroid cells are found outside of the normal thyroid gland location in the neck. The significance and treatment of ectopic conditions vary greatly depending on the specific type and location.