paracentesis

 
Pronunciation: /ˌparəsɛnˈtiːsɪs/

noun (plural paracenteses /-siːz/)

[mass noun] Medicine
  • the perforation of a cavity of the body or of a cyst or similar outgrowth, especially with a hollow needle to remove fluid or gas.

Origin:

late 16th century: via Latin from Greek parakentēsis, from parakentein 'pierce at the side'