Pathology · single question
What type of biopsy is most appropriate for a hairy tongue lesion?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Excisional biopsy
- A. ❌ Exfoliative cytology is used for superficial surface cells — inadequate for a papillary tongue lesion requiring histological diagnosis.
- B. ✅ Correct. For a small, discrete tongue lesion suspected to be hairy tongue, EXCISIONAL BIOPSY (complete removal) is appropriate — it is both diagnostic AND therapeutic.
- C. ❌ Incisional biopsy takes a representative portion — used for large lesions not amenable to complete excision.
- D. ❌ Direct immunofluorescence is used for vesiculobullous autoimmune conditions, not hairy tongue.