Cervical biopsy

A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the cervix so the tissue can be examined under a microscope. A cervical biopsy is usually done to investigate areas of abnormal tissue found during a Pap test, HPV test, or colposcopy.

The amount of cervical tissue removed depends on the method used.

  • A simple cervical biopsy, sometimes called a punch biopsy, removes a small piece of tissue from the surface of the cervix.
  • An endocervical biopsy (endocervical curettage) removes tissue from high in the cervical canal by using a brush or scraping with an instrument.
  • An excisional biopsy of the cervix is a more extensive form of a cervical biopsy that removes a cone-shaped wedge of tissue from the cervix.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

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