prolapse

Prolapse describes the slipping, falling, or descent of an organ or body part out of its normal position. The word comes from the Latin prolabi, meaning "to fall before." While it can sound alarming, a prolapse doesn't always indicate a serious emergency—but it almost always requires medical attention.

In medicine, you'll often hear about prolapses affecting organs supported by muscles and ligaments. A common example is a uterine prolapse, where the uterus descends into the vaginal canal because the pelvic floor muscles have weakened, often after pregnancy or childbirth. Other examples include rectal prolapse, where part of the rectum protrudes from the anus, mitral valve prolapse, a heart condition, and even a prolapsed disc in the spine.

This word is mainly medical English. Outside that setting, figurative use is rare and can sound unnatural, so it is usually better to use it for the body rather than for systems, politics, or society.

The key takeaway is that prolapse implies downward movement, loss of support, and something being out of its proper place inside the body. It is a precise word that usually points to a medical problem involving weakened support or pressure from within.