bone marrow aspiration
Meaning of bone marrow aspiration: This procedure obtains a liquid marrow sample and is frequently performed together with a separate technique that removes a small solid core.
Definition of bone marrow aspiration
Bone marrow aspiration is a procedure in which a sample of liquid bone marrow is withdrawn through a needle, most often from the hip bone, though the breastbone or another bone may be used depending on the situation. The skin and underlying bone surface are numbed beforehand, and a specialized needle is then advanced into the marrow space so a syringe can withdraw a small sample of the fluid marrow.
The aspirated sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope to evaluate the number, size, and appearance of developing blood cells, helping identify abnormalities in how blood cells are being produced within the marrow.
Bone marrow aspiration is often performed together with a bone marrow biopsy, a related procedure that removes a small solid core of marrow tissue rather than a liquid sample, since the two procedures provide complementary information about the marrow's cellular activity and structure.
Used in a sentence
Bone marrow aspiration was performed to evaluate the cause of the patient's abnormal blood counts.
Good to know
Bone marrow aspiration collects a liquid sample of marrow cells, distinct from a bone marrow biopsy, which removes a solid core of tissue, and the two, often performed together, provide complementary information.