unruptured

Unruptured is an adjective meaning not ruptured or not broken. It is used in medicine and other technical fields to describe a structure, lesion, or barrier that has not burst, torn, or given way. The opposite is ruptured.

In neurology, unruptured intracranial aneurysm refers to a dilated, weakened section of a brain artery that has not bled. These aneurysms are often discovered incidentally on imaging performed for unrelated reasons. They may be asymptomatic but carry a risk of rupture, which can cause a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Rupture risk depends on factors such as size, location, patient age, and comorbidities. Management ranges from imaging surveillance to preventive treatment (endovascular coil embolization or surgical clipping), chosen after assessment of rupture risk and patient preferences.

In otolaryngology, an unruptured tympanic membrane is a normal, intact eardrum. Rupture of the tympanic membrane can result from trauma or severe infection and is usually accompanied by pain, drainage, and hearing loss. Documentation may refer to the membrane as unruptured during examinations to indicate integrity.

In obstetrics and reproductive medicine, unruptured membranes may describe intact amniotic membranes; rupture of membranes is associated with the onset of labor and increased infection risk, affecting clinical management depending on gestational age and circumstances.

Etymology: ruptus is Latin for broken; un- negates that meaning, so unruptured literally means not broken.