Biopsy: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in medical settings when discussing the procedure of removing a small portion of tissue for diagnostic purposes.

• The doctor scheduled a biopsy to determine if the lump is cancerous

Typically used in both medical and scientific contexts to refer more specifically to a piece of tissue collected for testing or examination.

• The surgeon collected a tissue sample to check for signs of infection

Generally used in scientific contexts to refer to any sample collected for study or analysis, not limited to medical use.

• The lab technician carefully labeled each specimen for further analysis

A biopsy is a medical procedure used to extract a sample of cells or tissues for testing to diagnose diseases, most commonly cancer. It is usually performed when there is a suspicion of a serious condition.

• The doctor recommended a biopsy to determine if the lump in my breast was cancerous.
• After examining the mole, the dermatologist decided a biopsy was necessary.

Examination is a general term that can refer to the inspection or assessment of something in detail. In a medical context, it involves checking a patient’s body to diagnose or monitor health issues. It can also refer to an academic test.

• The doctor performed a physical examination to check for any signs of illness.
• I have an important examination tomorrow, so I need to study tonight.

Analysis refers to the detailed examination and evaluation of something, often data or a substance, to understand its structure, components, or characteristics. It can be used in various fields such as science, business, or data analytics.

• The laboratory is conducting an analysis of the blood sample to check for infections.
• We need to perform a thorough analysis of the sales data to understand the market trends.