noun

dissection

dih-SEK-shun/dɪˈsekʃn/

The examination of something by separating its parts.

The student's dissection of the flower exposes its inner structures for study.

Student carefully dissects large flower with tweezers and scalpel, petals separated to expose inner structures for study; no animal gore, no labels, small tray on white.

Etymology

disLatinapart

+sectLatinto cut

+ionLatinaction or process

The pieces name the process of cutting apart. In the study sense, this separation serves examination: opening an animal or plant makes its organs and tissues available for inspection.

In context

LADbible Stories9:56

saw and then all of a sudden the organs are there before you and you have this specimen this person and this is not like a a gross gross anatomical dissection that you see medical students doing

I've Cut Open 7,000 Dead Bodies | Minutes With

More examples

His dissection of the poem explains how each image contributes to its meaning.
The magazine publishes detailed dissections of campaign speeches.
Students examine a frog's organs during dissection.

Forms

dissection · dissections

dissect verb — To examine by separating into parts.

Similar words

analysis: A broader term for examining details and their relationships.
breakdown: Emphasizes dividing a whole into simpler, more understandable parts.