US Medical Term · tests
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Biopsia de médula ósea
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Bone Marrow Biopsy |
| Spanish (Español) | Biopsia de médula ósea |
| Chinese (中文) | 骨髓活組織切片 |
| Korean (한국어) | 골수 생검 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Sinh thiết tủy xương |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Bone Marrow Biopsy |
| Portuguese (Português) | Biópsia de medula óssea |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตัดชิ้นเนื้อไขกระดูก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 骨髄生検 |
What it means
A bone marrow biopsy removes a small core of bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside large bones that produces blood cells — for laboratory analysis. A doctor typically takes the sample from the back of your hip bone (iliac crest) using a special needle after numbing the area with local anesthetic. You may feel pressure and a sharp ache as the needle enters the bone. A companion procedure called a bone marrow aspiration withdraws liquid marrow. Together they help diagnose blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), bone marrow failure, unexplained anemia, and certain infections. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is performed in an outpatient or hospital setting.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My oncologist wants a bone marrow biopsy — where on my body will they take it from?
Mi oncólogo quiere una biopsia de médula ósea — ¿de qué parte del cuerpo la tomarán?
Will I be sedated or awake during the bone marrow biopsy?
¿Estaré sedado o despierto durante la biopsia de médula ósea?
How painful is a bone marrow biopsy and how long does recovery take?
¿Qué tan dolorosa es la biopsia de médula ósea y cuánto dura la recuperación?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026