Medical Terminology Simplified

Diagnostic Procedures

Removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or other part of the body for

microscopic examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis, estimate prognosis, or

follow the course of a disease

Types of biopsy include aspiration biopsy, needle biopsy, punch biopsy, shave biopsy, and

frozen section.

Method for determining induced sensitivity (allergy) by applying or inoculating a

suspected allergen or sensitizer into the skin and determining sensitivity (allergy) to

the specific antigen by an inflammatory skin reaction to it

The most commonly used skin tests are the intradermal, patch, and scratch tests.

(See Fig. 3–14.)

90 CHAPTER 3• Integumentary System

biopsy (Bx, bx)

BĪ-ŏp-sē

Figure 3-13 Vitiligo. From Goldsmith, Lazarus, and Tharp: Adult and Pediatric

Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment. F. A. Davis, Philadelphia,

1997, p 121, with permission.

skin test

Figure 3-14 Skin tests. (A)Intradermal allergy test reactions. (B)Scratch (prick) skin test kit
for allergy testing.