Choose the correct one-word substitution for:
"Dissection of a dead body to find the cause of death."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Autopsy
Explanation
The phrase refers to the surgical examination of a corpse to determine the exact cause of death. To solve this quickly for an exam, look at the Greek roots of the medical terms.
The word "Autopsy" combines autos (self) and opsis (sight), meaning to see for oneself, and is performed exclusively on a deceased body. The other options are incorrect because a "biopsy" is the removal of tissue from a living body, "surgery" is an operative treatment on a living patient, and "anatomy" is the general study of bodily structures. Therefore, Option 1 is the correct choice.
Key Points
Identifying correct one-word substitutions for medical terms requires distinguishing between roots that denote life versus those used for post-mortem investigations.
An autopsy is strictly performed post-mortem, whereas a biopsy is a diagnostic tool used exclusively on living subjects.