placenta previa

noun

placenta pre·​via -ˈprē-vē-ə How to pronounce placenta previa (audio)
plural placentae previae -vē-ˌē How to pronounce placenta previa (audio)
: an abnormal implantation of the placenta at or near the internal opening of the uterine cervix so that it tends to precede the child at birth usually causing severe maternal hemorrhage

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Placenta previa.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/placenta%20previa. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!