DictionaryRoot: amnion
Greek

amnion

membrane around a fetus

1 / 1
A clinician samples the amniotic fluid around a fetus under ultrasound guidance.
noun

amniocentesis

am-nee-oh-sen-TEE-sis/ˌæmniəʊsenˈtiːsɪs/

A prenatal test in which a needle removes a sample of fluid surrounding the fetus.

Etymology

The name combines the fetal membrane with a puncture: a needle withdraws fluid from around the fetus for testing. It names the sampling procedure used in the prenatal test.

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