amnion Hear it!

amnion definition

am·nion (am′nē ən, -än′)

noun pl. amnions -·ni·ons or amnia -·nia (-ə)

  1. the innermost membrane of the sac enclosing the embryo of a mammal, reptile, or bird: it is filled with a watery fluid (amniotic fluid)
  2. a similar membrane of certain invertebrates, esp. insects

Etymology: Gr, dim. of amnos, lamb < IE *agwhnos > yean, L agnus

Related Forms:

  • amniotic am′·ni·ot′ic (-ät′ik) adjective or amnionic am′·ni·on′ic (-än′ik)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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