amniocentesis

American  

[am-nee-oh-sen-tee-sis] / ˌæm ni oʊ sɛnˈti sɪs /

noun

plural

amniocenteses

1. a surgical procedure for obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac in the uterus of a pregnant woman by inserting a hollow needle through the abdominal wall, used in diagnosing certain genetic defects or possible obstetric complications.

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amniocentesis British  

/ ˌæmnɪəʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs /

noun

1. removal of some amniotic fluid by the insertion into the womb of a hollow needle, for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes

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amniocentesis Scientific  

/ ăm′nē-ō-sĕn-tē′sĭs /

1. A procedure usually done about the sixteenth week of pregnancy in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is drawn out of the uterus through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The fluid is analyzed to determine the gender of the fetus or the presence of genetic abnormalities.

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amniocentesis Cultural  

1. A procedure for finding certain disorders in a fetus during pregnancy. In amniocentesis, a small amount of the salty liquid that surrounds the fetus in the amniotic sac is drawn out through a needle inserted into the mother's abdomen. The fluid generally contains some isolated cells from the fetus. These cells are analyzed to detect abnormalities in the chromosomes of the fetus, such as Down's syndrome, and may also be used to judge some other conditions, such as the maturity of the fetus's lungs.

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Etymology

Origin of amniocentesis

1955–60; amnio- (as combining form of amnion ) + centesis

Example Sentences

My mind incongruously goes to amniocentesis, the dread prenatal test I underwent two decades earlier during my first pregnancy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

A set of results from the amniocentesis – which was done to look for the cause of the problem – came back the day after her abortion, and other results after that.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

This restriction stems from the fact that the analysis currently necessitates either chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, both procedures associated with discomfort and a slight risk of miscarriage.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2024

But so far, we had cleared all the hurdles, my baby and I. The ultrasounds, genetic testing, and amniocentesis gave me hope that the baby would be healthy.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2023

The sampling method can be done earlier than amniocentesis, but it cannot be done safely until after 10 weeks of pregnancy, and the result is often not known till the 12th or 14th week.

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2022