amniocentesis
am·nio·cen·te·sis
noun \ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-səs\ plural am·nio·cen·te·ses\-ˌsēz\
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
See Origin of AMNIOCENTESIS
New Latin, from amnion + centesis puncture, from Greek kentesis, from kentein to prick — more at center
First Known Use: 1957
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