amniocentesis

[ am-nee-oh-sen-tee-sis ]

noun

, plural am·ni·o·cen·te·ses [am-nee-oh-sen-, tee, -seez].

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.

amniocentesis

/ ˌæmnɪəʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs /

noun

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

amniocentesis

/ 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.

amniocentesis

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 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of amniocentesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of amniocentesis¹

C20: from amnion + centesis, from Greek kentēsis a puncture, from kentein to prick

Example Sentences

So when Sarah was 16 weeks pregnant, she got an amniocentesis.

From The Daily Beast

“Prenatal testing—amniocentesis—does in fact result more often than not in this country in abortion,” Santorum said.

From The Daily Beast