Amniocentesis is a medical procedure that is used to diagnose certain genetic disorders and fetal abnormalities during pregnancy. It involves the removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid from the sac surrounding the fetus, which is then tested for various genetic abnormalities.
Definitions
Amniocentesis is defined as a medical procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the sac surrounding the fetus using a needle inserted through the mother’s abdomen. This fluid is then tested for genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and neural tube defects.
Origin
The first successful amniocentesis was performed in the 1950s by Italian physician Dr. Giuseppe Simoni. Since then, the procedure has become a routine part of prenatal care, and is offered to women who are at increased risk of having a child with a genetic disorder or birth defect.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, amniocentesis is “the surgical puncture of the amniotic sac to withdraw amniotic fluid for analysis.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the insertion of a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid for analysis.”
Associations
Amniocentesis is typically associated with prenatal testing and genetic counseling. It is often recommended for women who are over the age of 35, have a family history of genetic disorders, or have had abnormal results on other prenatal tests.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for amniocentesis include amniotic fluid test, amnio, and fetal DNA testing.
Antonyms
There are no real antonyms for amniocentesis, as it is a specific medical procedure with no direct opposite.
The same root words
The root words of amniocentesis are amnio, which refers to the amniotic sac, and centesis, which means “puncture.” Other medical terms that use the root word centesis include thoracentesis (puncture of the chest cavity), paracentesis (puncture of the abdominal cavity), and arthrocentesis (puncture of a joint).
Example Sentences
- Sarah had an amniocentesis done to test for any genetic abnormalities in her baby.
- The doctor recommended amniocentesis for the patient, as she was over the age of 35 and at increased risk for Down syndrome.
- After the amniocentesis, the doctor informed the couple that their baby did not have any genetic abnormalities.