Amniocentesis
A before-birth diagnostic procedure during which a long needle is used to obtain amniotic fluid from within the uterus. This fluid can be used for genetic and other diagnostic tests. Informally known as amnio.
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- Amnion
Amnion: A thin membrane that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. The amnion is the inner of the two fetal membranes (the chorion is the outer one), and it contains the amniotic fluid.
- Amnioreduction
Amnioreduction: The removal of large volumes of amniotic fluid by amniocentesis.
- Amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid: The fluid bathing a fetus within the uterus, which serves as a shock absorber.
- Amok
Amok: A syndrome first reported in the Malay people, usually male, consisting of a period of brooding followed by a sudden outburst of indiscriminate murderous frenzy, sometimes provoked by an insult, jealousy or sense of desperation. The person who runs amok may also die in a form of murder-suicide. Spelled also amuck. The Malay word […]
- Amoeba
Amoeba: Also ameba. A single-celled (protozoan) organism that constantly changes shape. The word “ameba” is from the Greek “amoibe” meaning “change.” Ameba can infect the bowels to cause diarrhea and the liver to cause abscess formation.