First Known Use: 1957
Dictionary
amniocentesis
noun am·nio·cen·te·sis \ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-səs\
medical : a test that is done to check for possible health problems in a baby that is not yet born
plural am·nio·cen·te·ses\-ˌsēz\
Full Definition of AMNIOCENTESIS
: the surgical insertion of a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus to obtain amniotic fluid especially for the determination of fetal sex or chromosomal abnormality
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Origin of AMNIOCENTESIS
New Latin, from amnion + centesis puncture, from Greek kentesis, from kentein to prick — more at center
Medical Dictionary
amniocentesis
noun am·nio·cen·te·sis \ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-səs\
plural am·nio·cen·te·ses \-ˌsēz\
Medical Definition of AMNIOCENTESIS
: the surgical insertion of a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus of a pregnant female to obtain amniotic fluid especially to examine the fetal chromosomes for an abnormality and for the determination of sex
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