Amniocentesis Definition

ămnē-ō-sĕn-tēsĭs
amniocenteses
noun
amniocenteses
The surgical procedure of inserting a hollow needle through the abdominal wall into the uterus of a pregnant woman and extracting amniotic fluid, which may be analyzed to determine the sex of the developing fetus or the presence of disease, genetic defects, etc.
Webster's New World
A procedure in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is drawn out of the uterus through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The fluid is then analyzed to detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus or to determine the sex of the fetus.
American Heritage Medicine

(medicine) A procedure for obtaining amniotic fluid from a pregnant animal, by inserting a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the amniotic sac. Used in diagnosing possible genetic defects and/or obstetric complications.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Amniocentesis

Noun

Singular:
amniocentesis
Plural:
amniocenteses

Origin of Amniocentesis

  • New Latin amniocentēsis amnion Greek kentēsis act of pricking (from kentein to prick kent- in Indo-European roots)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From amnio(n) +‎ -centesis.

    From Wiktionary

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