URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002216.htm
Definition
Aspiration means to draw in or out using a sucking motion. This medical term has two meanings, depending on how it is used:
Aspiration as a medical procedure may also be used to remove tissue samples for a biopsy. This is sometimes called a needle biopsy or aspirate (for example, aspiration of a breast lesion).
Related topics:
References
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:541-545.
Marrie TJ, Campbell GD, Walker DH, Low DE. Pneumonia. In: Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.16th ed, Chapter 239. McGraw Hill; 2005.
Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006:1136.
Update Date: 10/24/2006 Updated by: Daniel R Alexander, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.