Specimen

Specimen is a term used in the field of medicine and biology to refer to a sample of material, such as tissue, blood, or urine, that is taken from an organism or the environment and examined or tested in a laboratory. The purpose of examining a specimen is to gain information about the organism or environment from which it was taken. This information can be used for a variety of purposes, such as diagnosing disease, studying biological processes, or assessing environmental conditions.

Collection and Preparation

The collection and preparation of specimens is a critical step in the diagnostic process. The method of collection and the handling of the specimen after collection can significantly affect the results of the examination or test. For example, a blood specimen must be collected in a sterile container to prevent contamination, and it must be kept at a certain temperature until it is examined.

Types of Specimens

There are many different types of specimens that can be collected and examined. These include:

• Blood specimens: These are often used to test for diseases or conditions such as anemia, diabetes, or infections.
• Urine specimens: These can be used to test for a variety of conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, and urinary tract infections.
• Tissue specimens: These can be taken from any part of the body and can be used to diagnose diseases such as cancer.
• Environmental specimens: These can include samples of air, water, or soil, and they can be used to assess environmental conditions or to study environmental processes.

Examination and Testing

Once a specimen has been collected and prepared, it can be examined or tested in a laboratory. The specific methods used will depend on the type of specimen and the information that is being sought. For example, a blood specimen might be examined under a microscope to count the number of different types of blood cells, or it might be tested to measure the levels of certain chemicals or substances.

See Also

• Laboratory
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Histology

References

Specimen Resources
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