What term refers to the removal of fluid and cells through a needle?

The term that refers to the removal of fluid and cells through a needle is aspiration. Aspiration is a minimally invasive procedure often used in various medical contexts, including oncology, where it is utilized to obtain sample tissue or fluid from a cyst, tumor, or other structures. In this technique, a needle is inserted into the area of interest, and a syringe is used to withdraw the fluid or cells, allowing for diagnostic analysis or therapeutic intervention. This procedure is valuable for assessing the nature of a mass or lesion without the need for more invasive surgical techniques.

In contrast, a biopsy specifically refers to the removal of tissue for examination, which may involve a different approach than simply using a needle for aspiration. Excision involves the surgical removal of a portion or the entirety of a tissue or organ, often requiring larger incisions and more extensive surgical intervention, while incision refers to the act of cutting into tissue or organs, typically to aid in a surgical procedure.