Amniocyte
Amniocyte
Amniocyte (/æmniːəsaɪt/; from Greek amnion, "membrane around the fetus", and -cyte, "cell") is a type of cell found in the amniotic fluid and the amnion, the membrane that covers the embryo in mammals.
Etymology
The term amniocyte is derived from the Greek words amnion, which refers to the membrane enveloping the fetus, and -cyte, a suffix used in biology to denote a cell.
Function
Amniocytes are primarily involved in the production and maintenance of the amniotic fluid, which plays a crucial role in fetal development. The fluid provides a cushioning effect, protecting the fetus from physical shocks. It also allows for the free movement of the fetus, which is important for the development of the musculoskeletal system.
Medical Significance
Amniocytes are often collected for amniocentesis, a prenatal diagnostic procedure. This test is used to detect chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome. The procedure involves extracting a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains amniocytes, from the amniotic sac. The cells are then cultured and analyzed in a laboratory.
Related Terms
- Amniotic fluid: The protective liquid contained within the amniotic sac.
- Amnion: The innermost layer of the placenta, comprising a thin, tough membrane.
- Amniocentesis: A prenatal test where a small sample of the amniotic fluid is extracted for testing.
- Embryo: An early stage of development in multicellular organisms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Amniocyte
- Wikipedia's article - Amniocyte
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski