amniocentesis

am·ni·o·cen·te·sis  (mn--sn-tss)

n. pl. am·ni·o·cen·te·ses (-sz)

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.

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[New Latin amniocentsis : amnion + Greek kentsis, act of pricking (from kentein, to prick; see kent- in Indo-European roots).]

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amniocentesis

Noun

pl -ses removal of amniotic fluid from the womb of a pregnant woman in order to detect possible abnormalities in the fetus [amnion + Greek kentēsis a pricking]

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amniocentesis  (mn--sn-tss)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

amniocentesis - (pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities amnio prenatal diagnosis - any of the diagnostic procedures used to determine whether a fetus has a genetic abnormality centesis - (surgery) the act of puncturing a body cavity or organ with a hollow needle in order to draw out fluid maternity, pregnancy, gestation - the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus