-centesis
surgical puncture to remove fluid
From Greek kentesis, a pricking (kentein, to prick)
Meaning
What does -centesis mean?
-centesis is a suffix meaning surgical puncture to remove fluid. It comes from Greek kentesis, a pricking (kentein, to prick).
A needle, not a scalpel: the fluid is drawn off through a puncture, as in amniocentesis during pregnancy.
In real words
Medical words with -centesis
drawing fluid from a joint with a needle, to relieve swelling or to help find the cause
pericardiocentesis
removing extra fluid from the pericardium, the sac around the heart, with a needle
puncture of the wall of a body cavity to drain off excess fluid
pleurocentesis
puncture of the pleural space with a needle to draw off fluid; another name for thoracentesis
a puncture of the abdomen with a needle to draw off fluid
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- Suffixes – Medical Terminology: An Interactive Approach
- 1.5 Common Suffixes – Medical Terminology 2e
- -centesis - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
Surgery
-centesis is one of 9 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson