Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for automatically extracting a sample of tissue of a predetermined size and shape from a body, e.g. female uterine cervix. The apparatus is generally comprised of a generally cylindrically core-cutter with a rotatably mounted cutting blade faired within the circumference of the cutting end of the core cutter for severing the tissue sample upon rotation of the blade. A plunger, slidably mounted within the core-cutter, is used to both limit the depth which the core-cutter advances into the tissue body and thus in part limit the size of the sample to be severed, and to expel or eject the severed sample in response to a forward movement of the plunger. An outer sleeve, preferably having a pronged edge located adjacent the cutting edge of the core cutter for properly positioning the apparatus against the tissue surface, telescopically surrounds the core cutter.