AMNIOCENTESIS Meaning and
Definition
-
Amniocentesis is a medical procedure performed during pregnancy to obtain a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding a developing fetus. The goal of this procedure is to assess the health and development of the fetus, as well as to detect any potential abnormalities or genetic disorders.
During amniocentesis, a thin needle is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the uterus, guided by ultrasound imaging. A small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal cells, hormones, and enzymes, is then extracted and sent to a laboratory for analysis. This fluid sample is primarily used to examine the chromosomes of the fetus, providing valuable information about potential genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or neural tube defects.
Amniocentesis is typically recommended for women who have a higher risk of carrying a baby with genetic disorders, such as advanced maternal age, a family history of genetic conditions, or abnormal prenatal screening test results. The procedure is usually carried out between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy, although it can be performed earlier in specific circumstances.
Although amniocentesis can provide valuable information about the health of the fetus, it is an invasive procedure and carries a small risk of complications, including infection, injury to the fetus, or premature labor. Therefore, it is important for expectant parents to carefully consider the benefits and risks of amniocentesis before deciding whether or not to undergo the procedure.
Top Common Misspellings for AMNIOCENTESIS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for AMNIOCENTESIS
Etymology of AMNIOCENTESIS
The word "amniocentesis" is derived from two Greek words: "amnion" and "kentesis".
1. "Amnion" (ἀμνίον) refers to the innermost membrane that surrounds the embryo/fetus and contains the amniotic fluid. It comes from the Greek word "amnos" (ἀμνός), meaning "lamb" or "lamb's fleece". This is because the membrane has a delicate and soft texture similar to a lamb's fleece.
2. "Kentesis" (κέντησις) comes from the Greek verb "kentein" (κεντεῖν), which means "to prick" or "to puncture".
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
