1. Plural of amniocentesis; medical procedures in which a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall into the amniotic sac to extract amniotic fluid for testing or treatment during pregnancy.
Usage: Medical/clinical term; Always used in plural form in this entry

Examples

• The doctor recommended amniocenteses to screen for chromosomal abnormalities.
• Multiple amniocenteses were performed throughout her pregnancy to monitor fetal development.
• Amniocenteses carry a small risk of miscarriage, so the benefits must be carefully weighed.
• The laboratory analyzed samples from several amniocenteses to confirm the diagnosis.
• Advances in ultrasound technology have reduced the need for amniocenteses in many cases.