biopsy /bī″opsē/ [Gk, bios + opsis, view] , 1. the removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or other part of the body for microscopic examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis, estimate prognosis, or follow the course of a disease. 2. the tissue excised for examination. 3. (Informal) to excise tissue for examination. Kinds include aspiration biopsy, needle biopsy, punch biopsy, surface biopsy. −bioptic, adj.
