Definition

Noun: A medical test sample consisting of secretions and superficial cells collected from the uterine cervix and uterus. This sample is examined under a microscope to detect the presence of abnormal or precancerous cells.

Usage

A cervical smear is a routine screening procedure, primarily for cervical cancer. It is a key component of preventive healthcare. - The doctor recommended she have a cervical smear during her annual check-up. - Regular cervical smears can help in the early detection of cellular changes.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used interchangeably with Pap smear or Pap test, named after Dr. George Papanicolaou. However, "cervical smear" refers specifically to the physical sample collected, while "Pap test" refers to the full procedure of collection and cytological analysis.
  • The laboratory received the cervical smear for cytology screening.

Variants and Related Words

• Pap smear (n): The common synonym for the test procedure involving a cervical smear.
• Cervical screening (n): The broader program or process of testing for cervical cancer, which includes the smear test.
• Cytology (n): The branch of biology concerned with the study of cells, which is the science underlying the analysis of a cervical smear.

Synonyms

• Pap test
• Pap smear
• Cervical cytology test

Related Phrases

• To have a smear test: A common phrasal expression meaning to undergo the procedure.
  • It is important for women to have a smear test regularly.
• Smear results: Refers to the findings from the microscopic examination.
  • Her smear results came back normal.

Noun

1. a sample of secretions and superficial cells of the uterine cervix and uterus; examined with a microscope to detect any abnormal cells