What is the surgical procedure called that involves removing tissue for microscopic examination and diagnosis?

The surgical procedure that involves removing tissue for microscopic examination and diagnosis is called a biopsy. A biopsy is specifically performed to obtain a sample of tissue, which is then analyzed by a pathologist to determine whether it contains any abnormal cells or diseases, such as cancer. This procedure is crucial in diagnosing many medical conditions, as it provides definitive information about the nature of a problem that imaging studies alone might not reveal.

In the context of the other choices, exploratory surgery involves exploring the interior of the body to obtain information or to treat medical conditions but does not specifically focus on tissue removal for diagnosis. Excision refers to the surgical removal of a portion of tissue or an entire organ but is not necessarily done for the purpose of microscopic analysis. An incision is simply a surgical cut made into the skin or tissue and does not imply the removal of tissue for diagnostic purposes. Thus, a biopsy is the most precise term for the procedure in question.