What does centesis specifically refer to in medical procedures?

Centesis specifically refers to a procedure in which fluid is withdrawn from a body cavity, usually with a needle. This method is often used for diagnostic purposes, such as to analyze fluids for the presence of infections, cancer cells, or other abnormalities. Procedures like thoracentesis, which involves removing fluid from the pleural space around the lungs, and paracentesis, which involves removing fluid from the abdominal cavity, are common examples of centesis.

While other medical procedures are important, they do not fall under the definition of centesis. For instance, biopsies of solid tissue involve extracting tissue samples rather than fluid, and tissue scrapings involve superficial sampling from lesions. Surgical removal of tumors is a more invasive procedure aimed at completely excising growths, rather than focusing on fluid extraction. Hence, the term "centesis" is distinctively tied to fluid sampling from body cavities.