|
Glossary
C
|
| Cannula |
A hollow tube used to artificially inseminate
sperm |
| Capacitation |
The process by which sperm becomes capable
of fertilizing an egg |
| Catheter |
A flexible tube used for aspirating or injecting
fluids |
| Cervix |
The lower portion of the uterus that opens
into the vagina |
| Cervicitis |
Inflammation of the cervix |
| Cervical Mucus |
A somewhat tacky fluid covering the cervix
that changes in consistency throughout the woman's menstrual
cycle. During ovulation thick mucus becomes more watery
and stringy, allowing passage of sperm. |
| Chlamydia |
A type of bacteria that is frequently transmitted
sexually between partners or from an infected mother
to her newborn child; the most common sexually transmitted
bacterial disease |
| Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) |
Taking a biopsy of the placenta, usually
at the end of the second month of pregnancy, to test
the fetus for genetic abnormalities |
| Coitus |
Sexual intercourse |
| Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene)
|
A fertility pill that stimulates ovulation
through release of gonadotropins from the pituitary
gland |
| Congenital defect |
A birth defect |
| Corpus luteum |
("yellow body") formed in the ovary following
ovulation, it produces progesterone A glandular structure
forming from the burst follicular sac upon ovulation.
Responsible for releasing progesterone to transit body
into second half of menstrual cycle and to prepare womb
for implantation |
| Cryptorchidism |
Failure of one or both testicles to descend
into the scrotum |
|
|
|
