HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is the primary focus of an incisional biopsy?

1. Surgical removal of the entire lesion

2. Diagnosis through wedge-shaped tissue excision

3. Treatment of inflammation

4. Assessment of tongue pain

The correct answer is: Diagnosis through wedge-shaped tissue excision

The primary focus of an incisional biopsy is to provide a diagnosis through the excision of a wedge-shaped section of a lesion rather than removing the entire lesion. This technique allows for the examination of the suspicious tissue under a microscope, which can help determine whether the cells are benign or malignant. It is particularly useful when the lesion is large or located in a sensitive area where complete removal might not be feasible or necessary at the initial diagnostic stage. This targeted approach balances the need for adequate tissue sampling with minimizing surgery on healthy tissue. Other options such as the complete surgical removal of the lesion or treatments focusing on inflammation do not align with the purpose of incisional biopsy, which is specifically aimed at diagnosis through selective tissue collection. Likewise, assessment of tongue pain would address symptoms rather than the tissue examination goal of a biopsy.