Abstract: A biopsy needle for removal of tissue from human or animal bodies incorporates a tubular elongated body (1) and a plunger (7) arranged both slidably and rotatably within the body. The plunger is pointed at one end and has a tissue-removing edge directed backwardly from the pointed end and formed on a flap (9) supported by the body (1) and movable between a retracted position in which the tissue-removing edge lies within the lateral confines of the body (1) and an extended position in which the tissue-removing edge lies beyond the lateral confines of the body (1). The wall of the body (1) is formed with an aperture (2) with which the flap may be brought into register by movement of the plunger (7).