Which type of tissue sample is obtained through a biopsy?

A biopsy involves the removal of a small sample of tissue for examination. The primary purpose of a biopsy is to obtain sufficient cellular material to assess pathologic changes that may indicate disease, such as cancer, inflammation, or infection. This small sample allows for various diagnostic tools, including histological analysis, which can provide critical insights into the type and stage of any disease present.

Collecting a large sample of tissue for examination is typically done in procedures other than biopsies, such as resections or excisional surgeries, where a larger area of tissue is removed—this is not the specific intention of a biopsy. Similarly, obtaining a whole organ is beyond the scope of a biopsy and is done for organ donation or in cases of autopsy. A fluid sample, while valuable in certain diagnostic contexts like cytology or serology, does not represent a tissue biopsy. Therefore, the correct identification of a biopsy as involving a small tissue sample aligns with its function in disease diagnosis and management.