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Taking a small sample of tissue for diagnosis under the microscope. Biopsies of the endometrium can be done without anesthetic, through the cervix (see premenstrual biopsy). Biopsies of the ovary or of the lining of the peritoneal cavity (e.g. to detect subtle endometriosis) are done at laparoscopy. A testicular biopsy is done to determine why there’s azoospermia. Using microscopic techniques, even an early embryo can be biopsied (see embryo biopsy and preimplantation diagnosis).
Copyright © 1998 Robert
Jansen, WH Freeman / Scientific American Books, and Allen &
Unwin. |
