Specimen
Specimen
Specimen (/ˈspɛsɪmɪn/; from Latin specimen, "sample") is a term used in various fields, particularly in the medical and biological sciences, to refer to a sample of material collected for testing, study, or analysis.
Etymology
The term specimen is derived from the Latin word specimen, which means "sample" or "example". It was first used in English in the 17th century.
Medical Usage
In the field of medicine, a specimen refers to a sample of tissue, blood, urine, or other material collected from a patient for the purpose of diagnostic testing. This can include biopsy samples, blood samples, urine samples, and stool samples. The collection and handling of specimens is a critical part of the diagnostic process, as the quality of the specimen can significantly impact the accuracy of test results.
Biological Usage
In biology, a specimen refers to an individual plant, animal, or other organism collected for scientific study. This can include both living specimens, such as those kept in zoos or botanical gardens, and preserved specimens, such as those kept in natural history museums or herbaria.
Related Terms
- Sample (material): A portion of a whole that is representative of the whole.
- Biopsy: The removal of tissue from a living subject for diagnostic examination.
- Culture (biology): The cultivation of microorganisms, tissue cells, or other living matter in a specially prepared nutrient medium.
- Pathology: The study of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Specimen
- Wikipedia's article - Specimen
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