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punch biopsy (... BY-op-see)

 Removal of a small disk-shaped sample of tissue using a sharp, hollow device. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.

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Punch biopsy; drawing shows a hollow, circular scalpel being inserted into a lesion on the skin of a patient’s forearm. The instrument is turned clockwise and counterclockwise to cut into the skin and a small sample of tissue is removed to be checked under a microscope. The pullout shows that the instrument cuts down about 4 millimeters (mm) to the layer of fatty tissue below the dermis.




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