The dermatopathology laboratory receives a wide variety of surgical skin samples of various shapes and sizes from different areas of skin. The categories in Table 1 outline the surgical procedure used to obtain the skin sample, the specimen shape, and which skin layers are typically involved. This information is useful during the gross examination as well as the various histology processes, including microscopic evaluation.
Table 1. Overview of Skin Sampling Procedures. | Procedure | Shape | Tissue Layers |
| Shave | Flat, thin, round, or oval with an irregular border | Epidermis/dermis |
| Punch | Cone or cylinder with a tapered, fatty end | Epidermis/dermis/subcutis |
| Excision | Elliptical, oval, or round | Epidermis/dermis/subcutis |
| Curettage | Thin with multiple irregular fragments | Epidermis |
| Nail clippings | Crescent | Keratin |
