How to say "autopsy" in Japanese

• 解剖かいぼうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe common, general word, covering dissection in the broad sense as well as the postmortem examination of a body; for 'autopsy' it is the safe default unless a forensic or clinical nuance is needed.
  死体したい解剖かいぼうの結果けっか、絞殺こうさつと判明はんめいしました。↗

  The postmortem showed that she had been strangled.
• 検死けんし
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbLess common than 解剖, it frames the autopsy as an examination of the body to establish the cause of death, typically in a forensic or coroner's context; it can also denote the inquest itself.
• 剖検ぼうけん
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA less common, technical medical term for an autopsy, used in clinical settings when discussing whether a postmortem examination will be performed; it also covers necropsy.
• 死体解剖したいかいぼう
  nounA less common, explicit term for autopsy, transparently 'dissection of a corpse'; it names the same procedure as 解剖 while leaving no doubt that a dead body is involved, and also covers necropsy.
• 腑分けふわけ
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA dated word for dissection or postmortem examination; it is seldom the word you want when you simply mean 'autopsy'.

Choose 解剖 as the common general word for dissection or autopsy, 検死 for a forensic postmortem to establish cause of death, 剖検 in clinical medical contexts, 死体解剖 when spelling the procedure out; 「腑分け」 is dated and seldom apt.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 解剖かいぼうdissection
• 検死けんしautopsy
• 剖検ぼうけんautopsy
• 死体解剖したいかいぼうautopsy
• 腑分けふわけdissection