Ovarian apoplexy is a sudden rupture in the ovary, commonly at the site of a cyst, accompanied by hemorrhage in the ovarian tissue and/or intraperitoneal bleeding.

Majority of cardiovascular events that involve sudden rupture of the atheroma plaque do not display any evident narrowing of the lumen.

"We are greatly concerned not to cause a sudden rupture in what we consider an evolutionary process in resolving these issues," the official said.

An even greater danger than slow blockage is a sudden rupture of the surface of the plaque.

Such sudden ruptures were responsible for the deaths of the two young athletes.

Mr. Close's life took a radical turn in 1988, when the sudden rupture of a spinal artery left him almost entirely paralyzed from the neck down.

Although there hasn't been any seismic activity in that area, it is possible for geological forces within the earth to build up to a sudden and unexpected rupture of the crust.

The failure of the $980 million Mars Observer mission last August was most probably caused by a sudden rupture of the spacecraft's fuel pressurization system, investigators announced yesterday.

There has been no sudden rupture, just a loss of turgor and slow collapse.

The sudden rupture apparently swept a flight attendant to her death and caused injuries to 60 of the other 94 people on board the twin-jet craft.