Medical Terminology for Uterine Polyps
The medical term for uterine polyps is "endometrial polyps." 1, 2, 3
Definition and Nomenclature
Endometrial polyps are the precise medical terminology used in clinical practice, guidelines, and medical literature to describe these benign overgrowths of endometrial glands and stroma that protrude into the uterine cavity 3, 4
These lesions may also be referred to as "endometrial polypoid lesions" or simply "uterine polyps" in clinical documentation, though "endometrial polyps" remains the standard medical nomenclature 5
The term specifically distinguishes these endometrial cavity lesions from other uterine pathology such as submucosal leiomyomas (fibroids), endometrial hyperplasia, or endometrial carcinoma 6, 4
Clinical Context
Endometrial polyps are benign focal overgrowths that affect both reproductive-age and postmenopausal women, with a prevalence of approximately 40% in the general population 1
When documented in medical records, the diagnosis should specify "endometrial polyp" rather than generic terms like "uterine mass" or "intrauterine lesion" to ensure diagnostic clarity 7, 2
In imaging reports and pathology specimens, the formal terminology "endometrial polyp" should be used, with additional descriptors such as size, location, and characteristics (e.g., "2 cm endometrial polyp in the fundal region") 6, 7