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

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

Dr. Maeve Hopkins with a patient, before an amniocentesis to check earlier indications from a blood test and ultrasound exam that her fetus had Down syndrome.

From New York Times

The same would be true of women who have prenatal testing of fetuses with amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, known as C.V.S.

From New York Times

In 2012 Republican presidential aspirant Rick Santorum was widely ignored when he said that health insurance companies should not be required to pay for amniocentesis because it was often used to “encourage abortion.”

From Scientific American

I need amniocentesis, genetic testing, counseling — all of it now, because there is a clock in Harrisburg that is ticking.

From Salon