# dissection

/ˈdaɪsɛkʃən/ (US) · /daɪsˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dissection
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. anatomical study

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of cutting open a plant or animal body to study its parts.

For teachers: the process of cutting apart an organism or tissue to examine its internal structure for scientific or medical purposes.

- In biology class, we performed a dissection of a frog to see its heart.
- The medical students spent the morning performing a careful dissection of the thoracic cavity to identify the major arteries.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 2. detailed analysis

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a very careful and detailed examination of a piece of writing, an idea, or an event.

For teachers: a minute and critical examination or analysis of a concept, text, or situation.

- The journalist's dissection of the new law showed many hidden problems.
- The professor's thorough dissection of the poem revealed layers of meaning that the students had completely overlooked.

Usage: Commonly used in academic or critical contexts to describe intellectual work.

### 3. surgical removal

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

the surgical removal of a part of the body, such as a tumor or lymph nodes.

For teachers: the surgical excision or removal of tissue, often used in the context of oncology.

- The surgeon recommended a neck dissection to remove the affected lymph nodes.
- Following the diagnosis, the patient underwent a radical dissection to ensure that all malignant tissue was successfully removed.

Usage: Typically found in surgical reports and medical literature.

## Examples

- The students performed a dissection of a frog in biology class.
- The surgeon performed a careful dissection of the tissue to reveal the underlying nerves and blood vessels.
- The professor's thorough dissection of the treaty revealed several hidden clauses that would have significantly altered international trade relations had they remained unnoticed by the public.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.