Final answer:
The presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine means that she is likely pregnant, as hCG is produced by the trophoblast to support the developing embryo.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a woman's urine contains human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), it means that she is likely pregnant.
hCG is a hormone produced by the trophoblast, which is the outer layer of the blastocyst (a fertilized egg). It is responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum and elevated levels of progesterone in order to support the developing embryo.
hCG can be detected in a woman's urine through a pregnancy test, indicating the presence of a pregnancy. The presence of hCG in urine is a reliable marker for pregnancy.