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amniocentesis
noun
am·nio·cen·te·sis
ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-səs
plural amniocenteses
ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-ˌsēz
: 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
Examples of amniocentesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The couple followed up with a specialist who did an amniocentesis.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis are more invasive but can diagnose abnormalities that previous screening tests may have flagged.
—Krissi Danielsson, Parents, 30 July 2024
Whether dishing hard truths about dilation, lactation, breast pumps, amniocentesis, the exertions of labor and birth, or the melancholy that takes root even in mothers who adore their kids, Babes finds the sweet spot where slapstick meets body horror.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 23 May 2024
An amniocentesis may also be performed in the third trimester to check for fetal lung maturity or infections and health conditions in the unborn baby.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Amniocentesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amniocentesis. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
amniocentesis
noun
am·nio·cen·te·sis
ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-səs
plural amniocenteses
-ˈtē-ˌsēz
: the procedure of inserting a hollow needle through the wall of the abdomen and into the uterus of a pregnant female to withdraw a sample of the fluid surrounding the fetus that is used to find out its sex and especially to check for abnormal chromosomes which may predict a birth defect
Medical Definition
amniocentesis
noun
am·nio·cen·te·sis
ˌam-nē-ō-(ˌ)sen-ˈtē-səs
plural amniocenteses
-ˌsēz
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on amniocentesis
Britannica English: Translation of amniocentesis for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about amniocentesis
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