Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What is the procedure known as when a small piece of tissue is excised for examination?

1. Removal of a biological specimen

2. Excision of an organ

3. Post mortem examination

4. Excision of a small piece of tissue

The correct answer is: Excision of a small piece of tissue

The procedure of excising a small piece of tissue for examination is referred to as a biopsy. In this context, specifically, selecting excision of a small piece of tissue accurately describes the action being performed, which is crucial in diagnosing conditions such as cancer or other abnormal tissue growths. This technique allows pathologists to analyze the tissue under a microscope to identify any pathological changes. While the removal of a biological specimen does depict the general idea of sampling, it lacks the specificity of indicating that the sample pertains to a small piece of tissue and is intended for examination. Excision of an organ suggests a much larger surgical procedure, generally involving complete organs rather than small tissue samples. A post mortem examination pertains to the examination performed after death, typically focused on determining cause of death, rather than sampling live tissue for diagnostic purposes. Thus, the correct choice encapsulates the essence of the procedure being described.