amnion

[ am-nee-uh n ]
/ ˈæm ni ən /

noun, plural am·ni·ons, am·ni·a [am-nee-uh] /ˈæm ni ə/.

Anatomy, Zoology. the innermost of the embryonic or fetal membranes of reptiles, birds, and mammals; the sac in which the embryo is suspended.
Zoology. a similar membrane of insects and other invertebrates.

Origin of amnion

1660–70; < Greek, equivalent to amn(ós) lamb (see yean) + -ion diminutive suffix

Example sentences from the Web for amnion

British Dictionary definitions for amnion

amnion
/ (ˈæmnɪən) /

noun plural -nions or -nia (-nɪə)

the innermost of two membranes enclosing an embryonic reptile, bird, or mammal See also chorion

Word Origin for amnion

C17: via New Latin from Greek: a little lamb, from amnos a lamb

Medical definitions for amnion

amnion
[ ămnē-ən, -ŏn′ ]

n. pl. am•ni•ons

The thin, membranous sac filled with a serous fluid in which the embryo or fetus is enclosed and suspended in the uterus. amniotic sac

Other words from amnion

am′ni•otic (-ŏtĭk) null adj.

Scientific definitions for amnion

amnion
[ ămnē-ən ]

A thin, membranous sac filled with a watery fluid (called the amniotic fluid) in which the embryo or fetus of a reptile, bird, or mammal is suspended during prenatal development. Also called amniotic sac