ˌparəˌsen.ˈtēsə̇s noun
( plural paracente·ses -ē(ˌ)sēz)
Etymology: Latin, from Greek parakentēsis, from parakentein to pierce at the side (from para- para- (I) + kentein to prick) + -sis — more at center
: a surgical puncture of a cavity of the body with a trocar, aspirator, or other instrument to draw off any effused fluid — called also tapping