Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

est/Procedure Defi nition allergy skin test scratch test (also called skin prick or skin puncture test) Skin test used to identify allergies. Skin test in which the forearm is scratched with tiny needles (lancets) and a variety of substances are applied to the skin to identify allergies. These substances include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, and chemicals in food. intradermal skin test Skin test in which different substances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions. biopsy bi/o = life -opsy = view of; viewing The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination. excisional biopsy ek-SIZH-ih-nuhl Surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor. incisional biopsy in-SIZH-ih-nuhl Incision (cut) into the tissue for removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination. exfoliative cytology eks-FOH-LEE-uh-tiv sigh- TAH-loh-jee Biopsy procedure in which living tissue is scraped so it can be analyzed microscopically for bacteria. The tissue may also be placed in a growth medium to check for fungal infection. needle biopsy Biopsy procedure in which a hollow needle is used to remove a core sample of tissue for microscopic examination. See Figure 3.11 in Chapter 3: The Muscular System. punch biopsy A biopsy done with a small, circular blade that rotates down through the epidermis and dermis and into the subcutaneous layer, producing a cylindrical core of tissue (Figure 4.23)