biopsy
noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē 
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy
transitive verb
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Matter examined in a biopsy is always taken from a living organism. Most biopsies are done by using a needle to extract tissue or fluid, but some may instead require cutting, and others may amount to nothing more than swabbing the inside of the patient's cheek. Biopsies are best known as a means of detecting cancer, but a doctor may also take a biopsy of heart muscle to investigate suspected heart disease, for example, or perform a biopsy on a pregnant woman to test for disorders in the fetus.
Examples of biopsy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The endoscopist makes the diagnosis and is free to consider the need for a biopsy and make a diagnosis based on the system's suggestions.
—
Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Providers can also use this ultrasound to confirm the results from your biopsy by taking a closer look at your uterus.
—Jess Sims, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
Lepers underwent muscle biopsies at each stage of the experiment to measure the metabolic properties of his muscles.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
In spring 2024, a WTA doctor advised her to undergo a mammogram, before a biopsy confirmed the cancer diagnosis.
—James Hansen, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
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Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Providers can also use this ultrasound to confirm the results from your biopsy by taking a closer look at your uterus.
—Jess Sims, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
Lepers underwent muscle biopsies at each stage of the experiment to measure the metabolic properties of his muscles.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
In spring 2024, a WTA doctor advised her to undergo a mammogram, before a biopsy confirmed the cancer diagnosis.
—James Hansen, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for biopsy
Dictionary Entries Near biopsy
Cite this Entry
“Biopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biopsy. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
biopsy
noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
Medical Definition
biopsy
1 of 2 noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy
2 of 2 transitive verb
biopsied; biopsying
: to perform a biopsy on
the intestinal polyps were removed and biopsied
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