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Health Library

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Cervical biopsy

A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the cervix so the tissue can be examined under a microscope. A cervical biopsy is usually done to investigate areas of abnormal tissue found during a Pap test, HPV test, or colposcopy.

The amount of cervical tissue removed depends on the method used.

  • A simple cervical biopsy, sometimes called a punch biopsy, removes a small piece of tissue from the surface of the cervix.
  • An endocervical biopsy (endocervical curettage) removes tissue from high in the cervical canal by using a brush or scraping with an instrument.
  • An excisional biopsy of the cervix is a more extensive form of a cervical biopsy that removes a cone-shaped wedge of tissue from the cervix.