-centesis, -opsy

-centesis means a puncture to withdraw fluid, and -opsy means viewing or examining tissue (Greek).

"sen-TEE-sis / OP-see." Coach: "Centesis takes out fluid with a puncture; opsy examines what was seen or sampled."

Examples: amniocentesis, arthrocentesis, paracentesis, pericardiocentesis, thoracentesis.

Also: biopsy, autopsy, endomyocardial biopsy, needle biopsy, excisional biopsy.