Topic 1 Key terminology

Preconception health

fertility

the ability to conceive and bear children.

infertility

the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.

genetic counselling

a process of guidance for individuals or families regarding the genetic aspects of health, typically to understand genetic conditions and make informed decisions.

hereditary

related to genetic inheritance or traits passed down from parents to offspring.

alcohol foetal syndrome

a range of physical and developmental conditions that result from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

fallopian tubes

the pair of tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, where fertilization typically occurs.

folic acid

a B vitamin important for fetal development, particularly in preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy.

immunisaions

the process of making a person or animal immune to an infectious disease by administering vaccines.

barrier method

a form of contraception that prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from reaching the egg. Examples include condoms and diaphragms.

hormonal methods

of contraception that involve the use of hormones to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining. Examples include birth control pills, patches, and injections.

contraception

the deliberate prevention of pregnancy through various methods, including barrier, hormonal, and natural techniques.

conception

the process of becoming pregnant, which occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg.

oestrogen

a hormone that plays a key role in the female reproductive system, regulating the menstrual cycle and influencing reproductive development.

progesterone

a hormone involved in regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining pregnancy, and supporting early development of embryos.

ovaries

the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone.

uterus

the hollow muscular organ in which a fertilized egg implants and develops during pregnancy.

endometrium

the inner lining of the uterus that thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for a potential implantation of an embryo.

cervix

the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina and acts as a passageway for menstrual fluid, sperm, and childbirth.

vagina

the muscular tube leading from the external genitals to the cervix, serving as the birth canal and pathway for menstrual fluid and sperm.

menstrual cycle

the monthly series of changes in a woman's body that prepare for potential pregnancy, involving hormonal fluctuations, ovulation, and the shedding of the endometrium.

ovulation

the process during the menstrual cycle where a mature egg is released from the ovary, allowing for the possibility of fertilization.

testes

the male reproductive organs that produce sperm and hormones, primarily testosterone.

epididymus

the coiled tube attached to the testes where sperm mature and are stored before ejaculation.

urethra

the duct through which urine and semen exit the body in males, serving as a pathway for both reproductive and urinary systems.

symptom

a sign or indication of a condition or disease that is experienced by a patient.

sign

an objective indication of a disease or condition observed by a healthcare professional.

vas deferens

the tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct in males.

penis

the external male reproductive organ that is involved in sexual intercourse and urination.

seminal vesicle

a gland that produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and helps transport sperm during ejaculation.

fertilasation

the process in which a sperm cell unites with an egg cell to form a zygote, leading to pregnancy.

implantation

the process by which a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining, allowing for further development during pregnancy.

amniotic fluid

the liquid that surrounds and protects a developing fetus in the amniotic sac during pregnancy.

amniotic sac

the membrane that holds the amniotic fluid and surrounds the developing fetus in the uterus

embryo

umblicial cord

the flexible tube that contains blood vessels and transports nutrients and oxygen between the fetus and placenta

embryo

an early stage of development in multicellular organisms, particularly before the fetal stage

foetus

the developing human from the end of the 8th week of pregnancy until birth