biopsy
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.bi·op·sy
noun \ˈbī-ˌäp-sē\ plural bi·op·sies
Definition of BIOPSY
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
— biopsy transitive verb
See Origin of BIOPSY
International Scientific Vocabulary 2bi- + -opsy (as in autopsy)
First Known Use: 1895
Other Medicine Terms
biopsy
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Procedure in which cells or tissues are removed from a patient and examined. The sample may be obtained from any organ, by any of several methods, including suction through a needle, swabbing, scraping, endoscopy, and cutting out the entire structure or part of it to be tested. Biopsy is a standard step in distinguishing malignant from benign tumours and can provide other information for diagnosis, particularly concerning such organs as the liver or pancreas. Slides of the tissue are prepared and examined by microscope.
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