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

Amniocentesis Sentence Examples

  • If these scans give more cause for concern you may be given counseling and be offered an amniocentesis.

  • It also means that older mothers can be given a low risk for Down syndrome without having to undergo an amniocentesis.

  • One death followed amniocentesis; a few followed miscarriage or termination.

  • Mums-to-be are currently offered the traditional method in which a needle is inserted inside the womb (amniocentesis or chorion villus sampling ).

  • Procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling allow small amounts of the baby's cells to be removed for examination.

More Sentences

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to amniocentesis using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

AAMAMN

Words Ending With

SISSIS

Unscrambles

amniocentesis

Words Starting With A and Ending With S

Starts With A & Ends With SStarts With AM & Ends With SStarts With A & Ends With IS

Word Length

13 Letter Words13 Letter Words Starting With A13 Letter Words Ending With S