Amnionitis
/ˌæmniəˈnaɪtɪs/noun
Inflammation of the amnion, the innermost fetal membrane surrounding the embryo or fetus.
Did you know?The term is built from Greek amnion, the name for the fetal membrane, and -itis, a Greek medical ending meaning inflammation; its association with a protective fetal covering echoes ancient beliefs about birth cauls and luck.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀμνίον (amnion)
“A membrane surrounding the fetus; possibly related to a term for a bowl or vessel”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-ῖτις (-itis)
“A feminine adjective-forming suffix meaning “pertaining to” or “inflamed,” used in medical terminology”
17th Century
New Latin
amnion
“The innermost fetal membrane, adopted into anatomical Latin”
19th Century
New Latin
-itis
“A standardized medical suffix denoting inflammation”
20th Century
Medical English
amnionitis
“Inflammation of the amnion”
Modern English
English
amnionitis
“Inflammation of the amnion, generally discussed in obstetric and pathological contexts”
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