Biological Specimens for Laboratory Testing

• Blood – Whole blood or specific components used for various diagnostic tests.

• Fluid – Includes various bodily fluids used for analysis.

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) – Collected via lumbar puncture, used to diagnose infections or neurological conditions.
• Peritoneal Fluid – Found in the abdominal cavity, analyzed for infections or malignancies.
• Pleural Fluid – Surrounds the lungs, tested for infections, cancer, or other diseases.
• Synovial Fluid – Lubricates joints; analyzed for arthritis, infections, or gout.
• Amniotic Fluid – Surrounds a fetus in the womb, tested for genetic and developmental disorders.
• Pericardial Fluid – Surrounds the heart, tested for infections or cardiac issues.

• Plasma – The liquid component of blood, separated from cells, often tested for proteins, electrolytes, and hormones.

• Semen – Used for fertility testing, sperm analysis, or forensic purposes.

• Serum – The fluid portion of blood after clotting, used for various biochemical and immunological tests.

• Stool (Feces) – Tested for infections, parasites, digestive disorders, and blood in stool.

• Swab Samples – Used for microbiological cultures and viral or bacterial testing.

• Throat Swab – Collected for strep throat, viral infections, or respiratory pathogens.
• Nasal Swab – Used for flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections.
• Vaginal/Cervical Swab – Used for Pap smears, STIs, and HPV testing.
• Rectal Swab – Used for certain infections, including STIs and enteric pathogens.
• Wound Swab – Collected from open wounds to identify bacterial infections.
• Ear Swab – Used to diagnose ear infections.
• Skin Swab – Collected to diagnose bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infections.

• Urine – Used for kidney function tests, drug screening, and infection detection.

• Whole Blood – Used in transfusions and complete blood count (CBC) testing.

• Bone Marrow – Collected via aspiration or biopsy to diagnose blood disorders and cancers.

• Hair – Used in forensic testing, drug screening, and toxicology tests.

• Nail Clippings – Used for fungal infections, heavy metal analysis, and forensic investigations.

• Sweat – Used in drug testing and cystic fibrosis screening.

• Breast Milk – Tested for infections, nutritional content, and contaminants.

• Gastric Aspirate – Stomach fluid collected for tuberculosis and acid-related disorders testing.

• Saliva – Used for hormone testing, genetic testing, and drug screening.

• Tissue Biopsy – Used for cancer diagnosis, genetic analysis, and histopathology.

• Meconium (Newborn Stool) – Tested for prenatal drug exposure and metabolic disorders.

• Cord Blood – Collected at birth for genetic and stem cell banking purposes.

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