What medical term describes a surgical incision made to remove tissue?

The term that best describes a surgical incision made to remove tissue is "excision." Excision specifically refers to the surgical procedure of cutting out or removing tissue or an organ. It encompasses the aspect of making an incision with the intent to take out a specific area of tissue, typically due to disease or injury.

In contrast, "resection" refers to the surgical removal of a part of an organ or tissue, which may involve excision but is usually associated with a larger section and not simply an incision. Therefore, while resection involves removal, it does not focus as explicitly on the act of cutting out tissue as excision does.

"Incision" refers to the act of cutting into the body, but it does not imply that removal of tissue is the ultimate purpose of that cut. It's a more general term that could apply to any surgical cut, not specifically for the removal of tissue.

"Puncture" describes a small hole made by a sharp object, often used for procedures like taking samples or draining fluids, and does not relate to the removal of tissue in the way excision does.

Thus, excision is the most accurate term for describing a surgical incision made to remove tissue.