biopsy

[ bahy-op-see ]

noun

, plural bi·op·sies.

1. the removal for diagnostic study of a piece of tissue from a living body.
2. a specimen obtained from a biopsy.

verb (used with object)

, bi·op·sied, bi·op·sy·ing.

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

biopsy

/ 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

biopsy

/ bī′ŏp′sē /

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

Derived Forms

• bioptic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biopsy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of biopsy¹

C20: from bio- + Greek opsis sight

Example Sentences

Called digital PCR, it is also employed in so-called liquid biopsies to spot signs of cancer in a blood draw.

From MIT Technology Review

Neither biopsies nor MRIs show anything of note in muscles supposedly affected with knots.

From Popular-Science

A small sample of cells is taken from an animal, usually via biopsy, and then fed a broth of nutrients.

From MIT Technology Review

The first procedure was in 1985—a neurosurgical biopsy using a PUMA 560 robotic surgical arm.

From MIT Technology Review

The doctor needs to balance acting on intuition versus harming a patient by doing biopsies that aren’t needed.

From MIT Technology Review

On the day he had his lung biopsy – an invasive and uncomfortable procedure – Linda asked whether it had bothered him very much.

From The Daily Beast

I had my bilateral back in March, after an ugly biopsy result.

From The Daily Beast

In the small living room where we last met, he seemed more gaunt than wiry, his ear bandaged after a biopsy.

From The Daily Beast

Once a PSA test comes back with an abnormal result, a biopsy is required to make a diagnosis.

From The Daily Beast

But he went forward with a painful biopsy, and then opted for surgery when the biopsy showed cancer.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• autopsy
• inquiry
• observation
• probe
• test