What term describes the removal and study of tissue from a deceased patient?

The removal and study of tissue from a deceased patient is referred to as an autopsy. This process is crucial for determining the cause of death, investigating disease processes, and obtaining information vital for public health and legal reasons. An autopsy involves a thorough examination of the body, including the collection of tissue samples, which are then analyzed pathologically to provide insights into the underlying medical conditions that may have contributed to the individual's death.

While terms like biopsy and dissection relate to tissue examination, they are used in different contexts. A biopsy refers specifically to the removal of tissue from a living person for diagnostic purposes. Dissection typically involves the careful cutting and separation of tissues to study their structures, often within a teaching or research setting. Therefore, the specificity of the term autopsy makes it the correct choice, as it directly pertains to the post-mortem investigation of a deceased individual.