What is the procedure called when a small tissue sample is sent for examination?

The procedure of sending a small tissue sample for examination is referred to as a biopsy. In this process, a sample of tissue is removed from the body and sent to a laboratory for analysis to diagnose diseases or conditions, such as cancer. The biopsy allows the pathologist to examine the cells under a microscope to determine the presence of disease, which is essential for guiding treatment decisions.

Histology relates to the study of tissues and cells, but it involves the examination of tissue samples rather than the act of obtaining them. Excising refers to the surgical removal of tissue, which may include a biopsy but is a broader term that doesn't specifically refer to the examination process. Necropsy, on the other hand, pertains to the post-mortem examination of an organism, typically an animal, to determine the cause of death, and is not involved in the process of obtaining tissue samples for diagnostic purposes in living patients.