retroflexion

Retroflexion is the act of bending or curling backward from a normal position. The term is used in several disciplines, most notably anatomy and linguistics, to describe backward bending in different contexts.

In anatomy and medicine, retroflexion refers to a backward tilt or bend of an organ. The uterus is the most commonly cited example: uterine retroflexion occurs when the uterus tilts posteriorly toward the spine. It can be present from birth or develop later, and it is often asymptomatic. When symptoms occur, they may include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, or dyspareunia. Retroflexion can be associated with pelvic adhesions, fibroids, endometriosis, or prior surgery. Diagnosis is usually by pelvic examination and imaging such as ultrasound or MRI. Treatment is typically not required unless symptoms or related conditions warrant intervention; options include observation, physical therapy, hormonal therapy, or surgical correction in selected cases.

In linguistics, retroflexion describes a tongue configuration used to articulate certain consonants. A retroflex consonant is produced with the tongue tip curled back toward the palate, often with the blade raised toward the postalveolar region. The feature is characteristic of many languages of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Africa and the Americas, though it occurs in other languages as well. Retroflex sounds can be stops, nasals, fricatives, or laterals, and are typically contrasted with dental or alveolar articulations. The term derives from Latin retroflexus, meaning bent backward.