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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Gametogenesis
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GametogenesisThe development and production of the male and female germ cells required to form a new individual. The male and female germ cells are called gametes. The gametes in human males are produced by the testes, two globe-shaped reproductive organs just below the penis. Male gametes are what most people refer to as sperm. Gametes in human females are produced by the ovaries, two oblong organs on each side of the uterus in the lower abdomen. Female gametes are what most people refer to as eggs or ova. During sexual intercourse, an ejaculated sperm cell penetrates an egg and unites with it (fertilizes it). The fertilized egg is called the zygote.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Female
The traditional definition of female was "an individual of the sex that bears young" or "that produces ova or eggs". However, things are not so simple today. Female can be defined by physical appearance, by chromosome constitution (see Female chromosome complement), or by gender identification. Female chromosome complement: The large majority of females have a 46, XX chromosome complement (46 chromosomes including two X chromosomes). A minority of females have other chromosome constitutions such as 45,X (45 chromosomes including only one X chromosome) and 47,XXX (47 chromosomes including three X chromosomes).
Germ
A disease-causing microorganism.
Testes
The pair of male glands, contained in the scrotum, that produce sperm.
Penis
The male sex organ, which consists of a head called glans, and the shaft or body. At the tip of the glans is the urethral opening, through which urine and semen leave the body. The shaft or the body of the penis is made of spongy tissue and blood vessels. And it fills with blood an grows in size (becomes erect) during sexual excitement.
Sperm
A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male).
Ovaries
The paired female sex glands in the pelvis, located one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum, that sheds its lining each month during menstruation and in which a fertilized egg (ovum) becomes implanted and the fetus develops.
Abdomen
The area between the chest and the hips. Contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Sexual
Pertaining to sex or, more particularly, the stimulation, responsiveness, and functions of the sex organs either alone or with one or more partners.
Intercourse
Connection or interaction between people. In sexual intercourse, the connection is usually defined as being between two people. It is erroneously restricted to putting the penis into the vagina (or anus) or the vagina (or anus) onto the penis (penovaginal or penoanal intercourse, respectively). The entire sexual interaction between the partners constitutes sexual intercourse. 2. Connection or interaction between people. In sexual intercourse, the connection is usually defined as being between two people. It is erroneously defined as putting the penis into the vagina (penovaginal intercourse), for the entire sexual interaction between the partners constitutes sexual intercourse.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Zygote
A fertilized egg. Or the diploid cell that results from the joining of two haploid gametes (sperm and egg) during sexual reproduction, that will cleave to form an embryo.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Gamene
Gamene is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): lindane.
Gamete
Sperm and eggs. These cells have the special property of carrying only one copy of each gene instead the two copies that most other cells carry. These cells contribute to the next generation and are also called “germ line” cells.
Gamete intra-Fallopian transfer
A treatment for infertility in which sperm and surgically removed eggs areinserted into the Fallopian tube at the same time, in the hope that the egg will be fertilized and implant.
Gamete intra-Fallopian tube transfer
An infertility treatment similar to IVF that involves removing eggs from a woman's ovaries, inserting them into the Fallopian tube with sperm, and allowing them to fertilize on their own.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
Method of treating infertility by removing eggs from a woman's ovaries, combining them with sperm from her partner or a donor in the laboratory, then placing the eggs and sperm together in one of her fallopian tubes, where fertilization can occur.
Gametic
Pertaining to the gamete (the sperm or eggs).
Gametic selection
Preferential selection of gametes (germ cells -- sperm or eggs). Gametic selection is a mechanism of transmission distortion.
Gametophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of being married. Sufferers of gametophobia experience undue anxiety even though they may rationally realize that the married state itself poses no threat to them. They may fear the challenge of living with another person and the responsibility of rearing a family. Or they may worry about failing as a sexual partner.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Gallstones, microscopic
A mixture of microscopic particulate matter in bile, also called biliary sludge, that occurs when particles of material precipitate from bile. (Bile is the fluid that is made by the liver. It is stored in the gallbladder until after a meal when it passes out of the gallbladder and through the common bile duct into the intestine to help digest fat in the meal.)
GALT
The enzyme (galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase) lack of which causes the genetic metabolic disease called galactosemia. GALT is also the symbol for the gene that encodes the enzyme.
GALT deficiency
Lack of the enzyme called GALT (galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase) which causes the genetic metabolic disease galactosemia, one of the diseases in many newborn screening panels. The disease can be fatal, if undetected. If detected, it can be treated by avoiding galactose in the diet. Galactosemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. There are two forms of the disease, GALT deficiency (classic galactosemia) and galactose kinase deficiency. Of the two, the GALT deficiency is the most severe. The GALT gene is in chromosome 9p13.
Gametic
Pertaining to the gamete (the sperm or eggs).
Gametic selection
Preferential selection of gametes (germ cells -- sperm or eggs). Gametic selection is a mechanism of transmission distortion.
Gametogenesis
Gametophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of being married. Sufferers of gametophobia experience undue anxiety even though they may rationally realize that the married state itself poses no threat to them. They may fear the challenge of living with another person and the responsibility of rearing a family. Or they may worry about failing as a sexual partner.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Known in Europe as Gamma-OH, gamma hydroxybutyrate is a colorless and odorless drug used illicitly for "recreational" purposes and for "date rape." GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant.
Gamma knife
A type of radiosurgery (radiation therapy) machine that acts by focusing low-dosage gamma radiation from many sources on a precise target. Areas adjacent to the target receive only slight doses of radiation, while the target gets the full intensity.
Gamma ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radionuclides when their nuclei transition from a higher to a lower energy state. Gamma rays have high energy and a short wave length. All gamma rays emitted from a given isotope have the same energy, a characteristic that enables scientists to identify which gamma emitters are present in a sample. Gamma rays penetrate tissue farther than do beta particles or alpha particles, but leave a lower concentration of ions in their path to potentially cause cell damage. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays.
Gamma-linolenic acid
Abbreviated GLA. An essential polyunsaturated fatty acid contained in some plant seed oils including evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. GLA has been used for a number of different disorders. GLA is of no benefit for eczema.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Female
The traditional definition of female was "an individual of the sex that bears young" or "that produces ova or eggs". However, things are not so simple today. Female can be defined by physical appearance, by chromosome constitution (see Female chromosome complement), or by gender identification. Female chromosome complement: The large majority of females have a 46, XX chromosome complement (46 chromosomes including two X chromosomes). A minority of females have other chromosome constitutions such as 45,X (45 chromosomes including only one X chromosome) and 47,XXX (47 chromosomes including three X chromosomes).
Germ
A disease-causing microorganism.
Testes
The pair of male glands, contained in the scrotum, that produce sperm.
Penis
The male sex organ, which consists of a head called glans, and the shaft or body. At the tip of the glans is the urethral opening, through which urine and semen leave the body. The shaft or the body of the penis is made of spongy tissue and blood vessels. And it fills with blood an grows in size (becomes erect) during sexual excitement.
Sperm
A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male).
Ovaries
The paired female sex glands in the pelvis, located one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum, that sheds its lining each month during menstruation and in which a fertilized egg (ovum) becomes implanted and the fetus develops.
Abdomen
The area between the chest and the hips. Contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Sexual
Pertaining to sex or, more particularly, the stimulation, responsiveness, and functions of the sex organs either alone or with one or more partners.
Intercourse
Connection or interaction between people. In sexual intercourse, the connection is usually defined as being between two people. It is erroneously restricted to putting the penis into the vagina (or anus) or the vagina (or anus) onto the penis (penovaginal or penoanal intercourse, respectively). The entire sexual interaction between the partners constitutes sexual intercourse. 2. Connection or interaction between people. In sexual intercourse, the connection is usually defined as being between two people. It is erroneously defined as putting the penis into the vagina (penovaginal intercourse), for the entire sexual interaction between the partners constitutes sexual intercourse.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Zygote
A fertilized egg. Or the diploid cell that results from the joining of two haploid gametes (sperm and egg) during sexual reproduction, that will cleave to form an embryo.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Gamene
Gamene is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): lindane.
Gamete
Sperm and eggs. These cells have the special property of carrying only one copy of each gene instead the two copies that most other cells carry. These cells contribute to the next generation and are also called “germ line” cells.
Gamete intra-Fallopian transfer
A treatment for infertility in which sperm and surgically removed eggs areinserted into the Fallopian tube at the same time, in the hope that the egg will be fertilized and implant.
Gamete intra-Fallopian tube transfer
An infertility treatment similar to IVF that involves removing eggs from a woman's ovaries, inserting them into the Fallopian tube with sperm, and allowing them to fertilize on their own.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
Method of treating infertility by removing eggs from a woman's ovaries, combining them with sperm from her partner or a donor in the laboratory, then placing the eggs and sperm together in one of her fallopian tubes, where fertilization can occur.
Gametic
Pertaining to the gamete (the sperm or eggs).
Gametic selection
Preferential selection of gametes (germ cells -- sperm or eggs). Gametic selection is a mechanism of transmission distortion.
Gametophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of being married. Sufferers of gametophobia experience undue anxiety even though they may rationally realize that the married state itself poses no threat to them. They may fear the challenge of living with another person and the responsibility of rearing a family. Or they may worry about failing as a sexual partner.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Gallstones, microscopic
A mixture of microscopic particulate matter in bile, also called biliary sludge, that occurs when particles of material precipitate from bile. (Bile is the fluid that is made by the liver. It is stored in the gallbladder until after a meal when it passes out of the gallbladder and through the common bile duct into the intestine to help digest fat in the meal.)
GALT
The enzyme (galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase) lack of which causes the genetic metabolic disease called galactosemia. GALT is also the symbol for the gene that encodes the enzyme.
GALT deficiency
Lack of the enzyme called GALT (galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase) which causes the genetic metabolic disease galactosemia, one of the diseases in many newborn screening panels. The disease can be fatal, if undetected. If detected, it can be treated by avoiding galactose in the diet. Galactosemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. There are two forms of the disease, GALT deficiency (classic galactosemia) and galactose kinase deficiency. Of the two, the GALT deficiency is the most severe. The GALT gene is in chromosome 9p13.
Gametic
Pertaining to the gamete (the sperm or eggs).
Gametic selection
Preferential selection of gametes (germ cells -- sperm or eggs). Gametic selection is a mechanism of transmission distortion.
Gametogenesis
Gametophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of being married. Sufferers of gametophobia experience undue anxiety even though they may rationally realize that the married state itself poses no threat to them. They may fear the challenge of living with another person and the responsibility of rearing a family. Or they may worry about failing as a sexual partner.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Known in Europe as Gamma-OH, gamma hydroxybutyrate is a colorless and odorless drug used illicitly for "recreational" purposes and for "date rape." GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant.
Gamma knife
A type of radiosurgery (radiation therapy) machine that acts by focusing low-dosage gamma radiation from many sources on a precise target. Areas adjacent to the target receive only slight doses of radiation, while the target gets the full intensity.
Gamma ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radionuclides when their nuclei transition from a higher to a lower energy state. Gamma rays have high energy and a short wave length. All gamma rays emitted from a given isotope have the same energy, a characteristic that enables scientists to identify which gamma emitters are present in a sample. Gamma rays penetrate tissue farther than do beta particles or alpha particles, but leave a lower concentration of ions in their path to potentially cause cell damage. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays.
Gamma-linolenic acid
Abbreviated GLA. An essential polyunsaturated fatty acid contained in some plant seed oils including evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. GLA has been used for a number of different disorders. GLA is of no benefit for eczema.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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