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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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