Abstract: A biopsy needle instrument for capturing a plurality of sequentially biopsied, discrete specimens. The instrument includes a housing, an axially elongated stylet and a cannula coaxially disposed about the stylet. The stylet and cannula have distal and proximal ends and extend from the housing. The stylet and cannula can move relative to each other and to the housing between retracted and extended positions. The stylet includes a side-facing notch adjacent the distal end of the stylet having an axial length that is greater than a predetermined specimen length. Portions of the cannula adjacent the distal end overlie the side-facing notch when the cannula and stylet are both retracted. When the stylet is extended and the cannula is retracted, a distal portion of the notch having length corresponding to the predetermined specimen length is disposed for facilitating the prolapse of tissue into the notch.