An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in tissue outside of the uterus, and the placenta and fetus begin to develop there. The most common site is within a fallopian tube; however, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, the abdomen, and the lower portion of the uterus (the cervix).

Review Date: 12/22/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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