MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Small intestine tissue sample

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Small intestine tissue sample

A sample of small intestine is obtained by the use of a flexible scope that is passed through the digestive tract to the small intestine. In the small intestine, a small sample is removed and placed on a microscope slide. The sample is stained and sectioned (sliced) for histological (tissue) examination. The test is performed to diagnose an infection or parasitic infestation of the small bowel.

Update Date: 2/10/2006

Updated by: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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