Chorionic villus sampling - series: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Skip navigation

Chorionic villus sampling - series

Procedure, part 2 - transcervical

If your surgeon uses a transcervical procedure, he opens your vagina with a speculum and eases a thin catheter through it and your cervix.

Your surgeon then moves the catheter to the chorionic villi with the guidance of an ultrasound. He checks the fetus' position on the ultrasound screen so he can maneuver the catheter within the uterus without harming the fetus.

Update Date: 5/2/2008

Updated by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer Maternal & Child Health, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.