Dissect

Dissect

Definition

Dissect means to cut or separate tissues. Surgeons dissect tissue during surgery. Most of the time, this is done to remove a part of the body that is thought to be diseased. Pathologists dissect dead bodies. This is part of doing an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Medical students also do dissection on dead bodies to learn human anatomy.

References

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Dissect. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company; 2021. www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/731761/0/dissect. Accessed July 8, 2025.

Review Date: 2/3/2025
Reviewed By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 07/08/2025.

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