A biopsy needle system includes a cylinder with an open end and a cylinder wall. A piston is inserted in the open end such that a cylinder interior volume is defined between the piston and the cylinder, the piston being movable in the cylinder. A biopsy needle is connected to the cylinder. A ventilation groove is established in the cylinder wall only to a depth of a portion of a thickness of the cylinder wall. The ventilation groove is positioned such that the cylinder interior volume of the cylinder communicates with the ambient atmosphere when the piston is displaced to a position in the cylinder so as to establish an airflow through the ventilation groove past the piston.
