Reproductive Health Terms
The following key reproductive health terms come from the Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 20th Edition. They can assist in understanding some of the terms used in reproductive health legislation, especially bills which seek to redefine personhood at fertilization. These laws may impact a woman's access to FDA approved contraceptives (birth control), since contraceptives can not only prevent fertilization but also implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine wall.
fertilization (fĕr-tĭl-ĭ-zā′shŭn) [L. fertilis, reproductive] 1. The process that begins with the penetration of the secondary oocyte by the spermatozoon and is completed with the fusion of the male and female pronuclei. 2. In botany, the union of the male and female gametes.
blastocyst (blăs′tō-sĭst) [″ + kystis, bag] In mammalian embryo development, the stage that follows the morula.
morula (mor′ū-lă) [L. morus, mulberry] 1. Solid mass of cells, resembling a mulberry, resulting from cleavage of an ovum. 2. A mulberry-shaped body found in white blood cells in patients afflicted with human granulocyte ehrlichiosis.
implantation (ĭm″plăn-tā′shŭn) [″ + plantare, to plant] 1. The grafting of tissue or the insertion of an organ such as tooth, skin, or tendon into a new location in the body. 2. Embedding of the developing blastocyst in the uterine mucosa 6 or 7 days after fertilization.
conception (kŏn-sĕp′shŭn) 1. The mental process of forming an idea. 2. The onset of pregnancy marked by implantation of a fertilized ovum in the uterine wall.
pregnancy (prĕg′năn-sē) [L. praegnans] The condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body after successful conception.
contraception (kŏn″tră-sĕp′shŭn) [″ + conceptio, a conceiving] The prevention of conception.
contraceptive (kŏn″tră-sĕp′tĭv) Any process, device, or method that prevents conception.