Ectopic (Adjective)
Meaning
Exhibiting ectopia.
Classification
Relational adjectives (pertainyms).
Examples
- A misplaced organ such as the kidney may be described as ectopic, meaning it is found in an abnormal location outside of its usual position.
- The rare genetic disorder caused the ectopic development of the child's heart, resulting in a serious congenital defect.
- In some cases of cryptorchidism, an undescended testicle can be classified as ectopic, meaning it develops outside the usual path of descent.
- Abnormal cell growth in an ectopic location can give rise to a teratoma, a type of tumor that contains tissue from different embryonic germ layers.
- This species of ectopic bursitis results in fluid accumulation between muscle fibers in locations that don't usually experience joint lubrication.