amniocentesis

am·ni·o·cen·te·sis   (ām'nē-ō-sěn-tē'sĭs)    n.   pl. am·ni·o·cen·te·ses (-sēz) 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. [New Latin amniocentēsis : amnion + Greek kentēsis, act of pricking (from kentein, to prick; see kent- in Indo-European roots).]

Main Entry: am·nio·cen·te·sis
Pronunciation: "am-nE-O-(")sen-'tE-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural am·nio·cen·te·ses /-"sEz/
: the surgical insertion of a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus of a pregnant female toobtain amniotic fluid especially to examine the fetal chromosomes for an abnormality and for the determination of sex

amniocentesis am·ni·o·cen·te·sis (ām'nē-ō-sěn-tē'sĭs)
n. pl. am·ni·o·cen·te·ses (-sēz')
A procedure in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is drawn out of the uterus through a needle inserted in the abdomen and is then analyzed to detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus or to determine the sex of the fetus.

amniocentesis   (ām'nē-ō-sěn-tē'sĭs)  Pronunciation Key  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.