What term describes the process of a blastocyst embedding itself in the uterine wall?

The process of a blastocyst embedding itself in the uterine wall is accurately described as implantation. This occurs after fertilization, where the sperm and egg unite to form a fertilized egg that then develops into a blastocyst as it travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Once the blastocyst reaches the uterine cavity, it undergoes the process of implantation, where cells on the surface of the blastocyst attach to the endometrial lining of the uterus. This critical step is essential for establishing a successful pregnancy, as it allows for the necessary exchange of nutrients and waste between the mother and the developing embryo.

The other options refer to different reproductive processes. Fertilization is the initial union of sperm and egg, gestation refers to the period of development of the embryo or fetus within the uterus after implantation, and ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary, marking the beginning of the menstrual cycle where fertilization could potentially occur. Thus, the term that specifically denotes the embedding of the blastocyst in the uterine wall is indeed implantation.