am·ni·on ( m n - n, - n )n. pl. am·ni·ons or am·ni·a (-n -) A thin, tough, membranous sac that encloses the embryo or fetus of a mammal, bird, or reptile. It is filled with a serous fluid in which the embryo is suspended. [Greek amni  n.]am ni·otic (-t k), amni·onic (-nk) adj. |
amnion [ˈæmnɪən]
n pl -nions, -nia [-nɪə]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the innermost of two membranes (see also chorion) enclosing an embryonic reptile, bird, or mammal
[via New Latin from Greek: a little lamb, from amnos a lamb]
| amnion (mn-n) A thin, membranous sac filled with a watery fluid (called the amniotic fluid) in which the embryo or fetus of a reptile, bird, or mammal is suspended during prenatal development. Also called amniotic sac. |
amniocentesis, amnion - Amniocentesis is formed by amnion, the innermost membrane enclosing a fetus, and Greek kentesis, "pricking."
See also related terms for mammal.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  amnion - thin innermost membranous sac enclosing the developing embryo of higher vertebrates (reptiles, birds and mammals)amniote - any member of the Amniota mammal, mammalian - any warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin more or less covered with hair; young are born alive except for the small subclass of monotremes and nourished with milk fetal membrane - any membrane that functions for the protection or nourishment or respiration or excretion of a developing fetus sac - a structure resembling a bag in an animal |
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