dictionary help| amniocentesis | medical dictionary |
<obstetrics> Sampling of the fluid in the amniotic sac. In humans this is carried out, between the 12th and 16th week of pregnancy, by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall into the uterus.
By karyotyping the cells and determining the proteins present, it is possible to determine the sex of the foetus and whether it is suffering from certain congenital diseases such as Down's syndrome or spina bifida.
(05 Feb 1998)
amnestic syndrome, amnio-, amniocardiac vesicle, amniocele < Prev | Next > amniochorial, amniochorionic, amniocyte
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