In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) article.
Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the... See the entire definition of AbdomenAnesthesia: Loss of feeling or awareness, as when an anesthetic is administered before sur... See the entire definition of AnesthesiaArtificial insemination: A procedure in which a fine catheter (tube) is inserted through t... See the entire definition of Artificial inseminationBirth control: Birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent p... See the entire definition of Birth controlBirth rate: The birth rate is usually given as the number of live births divided by the av... See the entire definition of Birth rateBowel: The small and large intestine. Catheter: A thin, flexible tube. Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c... See the entire definition of CellCervix: The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus, a hollow, ... See the entire definition of CervixChemotherapy: 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically k... See the entire definition of ChemotherapyContrast: Short for "contrast media." Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contra... See the entire definition of ContrastCryopreservation: The process of cooling and storing cells, tissues, or organs at very low... See the entire definition of CryopreservationDissection: The process of cutting apart or separating tissue as, for example, in the stud... See the entire definition of DissectionDonor: The giver of a tissue or an organ, such as a blood donor or kidney donor. Ectopic: In the wrong place, out of place. For example, an ectopic kidney is a kidney that... See the entire definition of EctopicEctopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that is not in the uterus. The fertilized egg settles and g... See the entire definition of Ectopic pregnancyEgg donor: A woman who provides her own eggs for another woman or couple to use in creati... See the entire definition of Egg donorEmbryo: An organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation, from fertilization ... See the entire definition of EmbryoEndometriosis: The presence of tissue that normally grows inside the uterus (womb) in an ... See the entire definition of EndometriosisEstrogen: A female steroid hormone that is produced by the ovaries and, in lesser amounts,... See the entire definition of EstrogenFallopian tube: One of the two Fallopian tubes that transport the egg from the ovary to th... See the entire definition of Fallopian tubeFertilization: The process of combining the male gamete, or sperm, with the female gamete,... See the entire definition of FertilizationFetus: An unborn offspring, from the embryo stage (the end of the eighth week after concep... See the entire definition of FetusGamete: Germ cell. Genetic: Having to do with genes and genetic Genetic disease: A disease caused by an abnormality in an individual's genome. HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin. Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit... See the entire definition of HormoneHysteroscopy: A procedure to see inside the uterus (the womb) using a viewing scope that i... See the entire definition of HysteroscopyICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Implant: 1. To embed; to set in firmly. In embryology, the fertilized egg implants ... See the entire definition of ImplantImplantation: The act of setting in firmly. In vitro: In glass, as in a test tube. An in vitro test is one that is done in glass or pl... See the entire definition of In vitroIn vitro fertilization: A laboratory procedure in which sperm are put in a special dish wi... See the entire definition of In vitro fertilizationInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInfertile: Not able to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception. Infertility: Diminished or absent ability to conceive and bear offspring. A couple is cons... See the entire definition of InfertilityInsemination: The deposition of semen in the female reproductive tract. With sexual interc... See the entire definition of InseminationIntrafallopian: A term meaning "within the fallopian tube." There are two fallopian tubes ... See the entire definition of IntrafallopianIntrauterine: In the uterus. IVF: In vitro fertilization. Laboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a... See the entire definition of LaboratoryLouise Brown: See: Brown, Louise. Maternal: 1. Pertaining to the mother as, for example, the maternal mortality rate.... See the entire definition of MaternalMaternal age: The age of the mother at the time of delivery. Advanced maternal age is usua... See the entire definition of Maternal ageOral contraceptive: A birth control pill taken by mouth. Most oral contraceptives include... See the entire definition of Oral contraceptiveOutpatient: A patient who is not hospitalized, but instead comes to a physician?s office, ... See the entire definition of OutpatientOvarian: Of or pertaining to the ovary. Ovary: The female gonad, one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. The ovaries are lo... See the entire definition of OvaryPain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPelvic: Having to do with the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen, located between the h... See the entire definition of PelvicPelvic exam: An examination of the organs of the female reproductive system. Perinatal: Pertaining to the period immediately before and after birth. The perinatal peri... See the entire definition of PerinatalPregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi... See the entire definition of PregnancyPregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. Progesterone: A female hormone, the principal hormone that prepares the uterus to receive ... See the entire definition of ProgesteroneRecipient: In medicine, someone who is given something, such as a blood transfusion or an ... See the entire definition of RecipientReproduction: The production of offspring. Reproduction need not be sexual; for example, y... See the entire definition of ReproductionSemen: The fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of flu... See the entire definition of SemenShortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ... See the entire definition of Shortness of breathSpeculum: An instrument that is used to widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix... See the entire definition of SpeculumSperm: A sperm is the male "gamete" or sex cell. It combines with the female &qu... See the entire definition of SpermSurgeon: A physician who treats disease, injury, or deformity via operative or manual meth... See the entire definition of SurgeonSurgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj... See the entire definition of SurgerySyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Transvaginal ultrasound: The creation of a picture called a sonogram by sending sound wave... See the entire definition of Transvaginal ultrasoundTubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub... See the entire definition of TubesUltrasound: High-frequency sound waves. Ultra-sound waves can be bounced off tissues by us... See the entire definition of UltrasoundUterus: A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman's lower abdomen, between th... See the entire definition of UterusVagina: The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. It is ... See the entire definition of VaginaViable: Capable of life. For example, a viable premature baby is one who is able to surviv... See the entire definition of ViableWomb: The womb (uterus) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen ... See the entire definition of WombZIFT: Stands for zygote intrafallopian transfer, a method used to treat infertility in whi... See the entire definition of ZIFTZona: 1. A synonym for shingles. 2. Any zone or encircling area. 3. A... See the entire definition of ZonaZygote: The cell formed by the union of a male sex cell (a sperm) and a female sex cell (... See the entire definition of Zygote
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