Glossary

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z

M

Menstrual period/Menstruation: The monthly bleed which takes place if no pregnancy occurs and is caused by the sloughing off of the lining of the womb.

Menstrual cycle: A cycle of approximately one month in the female during which the egg is released from an ovary, the uterus is prepared to receive the fertilised egg and blood and tissue are lost via the vagina if a pregnancy does not occur.

Metrodin: A commonly used fertility drug which is highly purified Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Used to stimulate the production of more than one follicle in IUI, DI and IVF.

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA): The technique wherby a small needle is used to extract relatively mature sperm from the epididymis. 

Miscarriage: The loss of a pregnancy before the foetus is 24 weeks old.

Mitochondria: Structures present in human cells which are often referred to as the cell’s ‘batteries’ because they generate the majority of a cell’s energy supply. They contain a small amount of DNA and are inherited from the mother. 

Monozygotic:  Derived from a single (mono) egg (zygote). Monozygotic twins form when one fertilised ovum separates into two identical zygotes.

Morula: The ball of cells which forms at about 3 ? 4 days after insemination of the egg, resulting from the cleavage of the fertilised ovum. 

Multiple birth: The term used when a multiple pregnancy actually results in the birth of two or more babies.

Multiple birth rate: This is the percentage of all births in which more than one baby was born. 

Multiple pregnancy: A pregnancy where two or more fetuses develop at one time in the uterus (womb).

Back to top

Page last updated: 18 July 2012