A needle biopsy system includes an elongated shaft and a needle shaft. The elongated shaft includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion more flexible than the proximal portion, and a distal portion that is less flexible than the intermediate portion. The needle shaft has a distal tip configured to cut and receive a sample of tissue and is longitudinally movable through the elongated shaft between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the distal tip of the needle shaft is disposed within the elongated shaft, and in the second position, the distal tip of the needle shaft extends distally from the distal portion of the elongated shaft to cut and receive a sample of tissue.
