What does enterocele mean?
An enterocele is a form of hernia in which part of the small intestine pushes through a weakened area of tissue. The term is used most commonly in gynecology to describe a condition in which loops of bowel descend into the rectovaginal or vesicovaginal space, often alongside other forms of pelvic organ prolapse such as cystocele or rectocele. Enteroceles typically arise when the supporting structures of the pelvis — the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue of the pelvic floor — are stretched or damaged, most frequently by childbirth, aging, chronic coughing, or repeated heavy lifting. Symptoms may include pelvic pressure or heaviness, lower back discomfort, and difficulty with bowel movements, though some cases remain asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during examination. Diagnosis is made through physical examination or imaging, and treatment ranges from pelvic floor exercises and pessary support to surgical repair in more significant cases. Though rarely encountered outside clinical settings, the word is a useful piece of precise anatomical vocabulary.
nounA hernia in which a portion of the intestine protrudes through a defect or weakened area, especially one where the small bowel descends into the space between the rectum and the vagina (or between the bladder and vagina) in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
- A hernia containing a loop of intestine, particularly one descending into the rectovaginal or vesicovaginal pouch as part of female pelvic organ prolapse.
- More generally in medicine, any hernia in which the sac contains bowel.
"The pelvic examination revealed an enterocele that had descended into the rectovaginal septum."
"During surgery, the gynecologist identified and repaired a large enterocele along with the patient's rectocele."
"Chronic straining and childbirth injury can weaken the pelvic floor enough to allow an enterocele to develop over time."
The standard modern plural adds -s directly; the older Greek-style plural 'enterocoeles' appears occasionally in British texts but is increasingly rare.
"Multiple enteroceles were identified on the MRI scan."
The word 'enterocele' literally means 'intestine swelling' — from the same Greek root for 'gut' that gives us 'enteritis'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enterocele
Enterocele derives from the Greek roots 'enteron', meaning intestine or gut, and 'kele', meaning hernia, tumor, or swelling. It entered English through New Latin medical terminology, following the pattern of other '-cele' words such as cystocele and varicocele. Its cognates include 'enteritis' and 'enteric', which share the same Greek root for intestine.
How enterocele is actually used
Strictly medical register, used by surgeons, gynecologists, and radiologists rather than in everyday speech. In modern clinical practice it is discussed most often in the context of pelvic organ prolapse staging and surgical repair.
Easily confused with enterocele
A rectocele is a herniation of the rectum itself into the vaginal wall, whereas an enterocele is a herniation of the small intestine into the rectovaginal or vesicovaginal space.
A cystocele involves the bladder bulging into the anterior vaginal wall, while an enterocele involves the small bowel descending into a deeper pouch.