(bī′ŏp-sē)
[Pronunciation]
[″ + opsis, vision]

A tissue sample removed from the body for microscopic examination, usually to establish a diagnosis.
The tissue can be obtained surgically or by aspiration. The procedure can be guided by computed tomography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, or radiography, or it can be performed without imaging (i.e., “blindly”).

Subentries:
aspiration biopsy
brush biopsy
cone biopsy
endometrial biopsy
fine needle aspiration biopsy
liver biopsy
muscle biopsy
needle biopsy
percutaneous breast biopsy
percutaneous renal biopsy
percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy
punch biopsy
sentinel node biopsy
suction biopsy