biopsy

American  

[bahy-op-see] / ˈbaɪ ɒp si /

noun

plural

biopsies

1. the removal for diagnostic study of a piece of tissue from a living body.

2. a specimen obtained from a biopsy.

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verb (used with object)

biopsied, biopsying

1. to remove (living tissue) for diagnostic evaluation.

biopsy British  

/ ˈbaɪɒpsɪ, baɪˈɒptɪk /

noun

1. examination, esp under a microscope, of tissue from a living body to determine the cause or extent of a disease

2. the sample taken for such an examination

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biopsy Scientific  

/ bī′ŏp′sē /

1. A sample of tissue removed from a living body by a medical provider for diagnostic purposes.

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Other Word Forms

• bioptic adjective

Etymology

Origin of biopsy

First recorded in 1890–95; bi- ² + -opsy ¹

Example Sentences

I spent the next several days trotting to back-to-back appointments for procedures and tests, including a breathing test, a PET scan and a lung biopsy.

From The Wall Street Journal

But these biopsies can be very invasive and sometimes cause harm, and doctors may struggle to get a sample.

From BBC

Scans and biopsies followed, and a week and a half later she was given a diagnosis of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

From BBC

Despite not having any symptoms, a CT scan, biopsy and MRI confirmed the disease in March 2023.

From BBC

Her parents say GPs had downgraded her referral for biopsies to a routine one because of her age, meaning her cancer went undetected until it was too late.

From BBC

Related Words

• autopsy
• inquiry
• observation
• probe
• test