Transcription: Bone marrow examination. The process of removing bone marrow by withdrawing it through a needle for pathological examination. It is usually withdrawn from the breastbone or sternum or the hip bone. Both these bones are just under the skin making the removal of marrow easy, safe and only momentarily uncomfortable with a local anesthetic. The procedure takes about 10 minutes, 9 and a half minutes for the anesthetic to take effect and 30 seconds for the actual procedure.