Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What is the gross examination of tissue?

1. Macroscopic examination of tissue

2. Performance of a necropsy

3. Microscopic examination of tissue

4. Surgical procedure

The correct answer is: Macroscopic examination of tissue

The gross examination of tissue refers specifically to the macroscopic examination, which involves visually inspecting and analyzing the physical properties of the tissue without the use of a microscope. This process allows pathologists to assess characteristics such as size, shape, color, and texture, which can provide valuable information for diagnostic purposes. During a gross examination, elements such as the presence of lesions, abnormal growths, or any significant changes in the tissue structure can be noted. This is a critical step in pathology as it often guides further investigation, including whether or not to conduct a microscopic examination for a more detailed assessment of cellular structures. Other options describe different processes that do not directly correlate with the definition of gross examination. For example, the performance of a necropsy refers specifically to the examination of deceased organisms to determine the cause of death, while microscopic examination involves analyzing tissue samples at the cellular level, and a surgical procedure pertains to any operation conducted to treat or investigate a medical condition.