Main Entry: dis·sec·tion

Pronunciation: \dis-ˈek-shən; dī-ˈsek-, ˈdī-ˌ\

Function: noun

1 : the act or process of dissecting or separating: as a : the surgical removal along natural lines of cleavage of tissues which are or might become diseased b : the digital separation of tissues (as in heart-valve operations)—compare finger fracture c : a pathological splitting or separation of tissue—see aortic dissection
2 a : something (as a part or the whole of an animal) that has been dissected b : an anatomical specimen prepared in this way