What term describes the process of fertilization outside the human body?

The term that describes the process of fertilization outside the human body is in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This medical procedure involves extracting eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting. Once fertilized, the resulting embryos can be cultured for several days before being implanted back into the woman's uterus.

This process is particularly significant for individuals or couples facing infertility issues or genetic concerns, as it allows for controlled conditions to enhance the likelihood of successful conception and pregnancy.

Artificial insemination, while related to assisted reproductive technologies, involves introducing sperm directly into a woman's reproductive system without the need for fertilization in a lab, thus making it distinct from in-vitro fertilization. Embryonic transfer usually refers to the transfer of an already created embryo back into the uterus, relying on prior fertilization methods rather than describing fertilization itself. Natural conception refers to the process where fertilization occurs within the human body, which does not apply in this context.