Pessarium

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A medical device used to support the uterus, often utilized in cases of pelvic organ prolapse
2. An instrument designed to provide physical support to the vaginal wall, typically for women with specific gynecological issues
3. A therapeutic aid that helps maintain the position of the uterus within the pelvic cavity, serving as a non-surgical treatment option

Etymology: Ancient Greek writers used "pessos" for a small, rounded stone or counter, the kind used as a game piece. From it came "pessarion," a diminutive for a small shaped object. Medical writers applied the name to plugs and shaped objects placed inside the body, so a counter from a board game gave its name to a medical device. The Latin "pessarium" kept this medical sense and reached English as "pessary" by the late Middle Ages, when it meant a vaginal suppository or plug. Its use narrowed over time to the ring-shaped or cup-shaped supports that hold a displaced uterus in place, a meaning that still fits the original idea of a shaped object set inside the body.