cytology
Meaning of cytology: Cytology is the microscopic examination of individual cells, commonly used to screen for abnormal or cancerous changes such as in a Pap test.
Definition of cytology
Cytology is the study of cells, particularly their structure and appearance, as examined under a microscope. In clinical practice, cytology refers to the examination of cells that have been collected from a body fluid, scraping, or fine needle sample, rather than an intact piece of tissue.
Common examples include a Pap test, which examines cells collected from the cervix to screen for precancerous or cancerous changes, and fine needle aspiration, which collects a small sample of cells from a lump or mass for examination. Cytology can also be performed on fluid removed from a body cavity.
Because cytology examines individual or loosely grouped cells rather than the organized structure of a tissue sample, findings that raise concern on cytology are sometimes followed by a tissue biopsy for further evaluation.
How cytology is built
- cyt/o Combining form · Greek cell
- -logy Suffix · Greek study of, body of knowledge
A medical term is read from its ending backwards: the suffix first, then the prefix, then the root. See all 223 word parts.
Used in a sentence
Cervical cytology showed changes that prompted further evaluation with colposcopy.
Good to know
Cytology examines individual cells collected by scraping, fluid sampling, or fine needle aspiration, while histology examines intact tissue architecture obtained by biopsy, and the two provide different levels of diagnostic detail.
Word origin
Where “cytology” comes from
Formed from cyto-, from Greek kytos, meaning "cell," and -logy, meaning "study of."