What term describes a pregnancy that occurs inside the uterus?

• A. Intrauterine Device - IUD
• B. Intrauterine Pregnancy - IUP
• C. Miscarriage
• D. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - PID

Answer: (B)

The term for a pregnancy located within the uterus is intrauterine pregnancy. The prefix intra- means “within,” and uterine refers to the uterus, so intrauterine describes a pregnancy that is inside the uterus. This location is important because a pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) carries different risks and management.

Other terms describe entirely different things: an intrauterine device is a contraceptive device placed in the uterus; miscarriage refers to the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy; pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper genital tract. In medical notes you might also see the shorthand IUP used to denote intrauterine pregnancy.