Definition

Noun: A sample of cells or tissue collected for the purpose of microscopic examination to study cell structure, function, and pathology for diagnostic or research purposes.

Usage

A cytologic specimen is a medical or biological sample prepared for analysis under a microscope. It is a core term in pathology and laboratory medicine. * The pathologist examined the cytologic specimen to look for abnormal cells. * Proper handling of the cytologic specimen is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. * The laboratory received several cytologic specimens for screening.

Advanced Usage

• "to obtain a cytologic specimen": This phrase describes the act of collecting the sample, often through procedures like a Pap smear, fine-needle aspiration, or body fluid collection.
  • The doctor obtained a cytologic specimen via a bronchial wash during the procedure.

Variants and Related Words

• Cytology (n): The branch of biology concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells.
• Cytological (adj): Relating to cytology.
  • The cytological findings were inconclusive.
• Cytopathologic (adj): Relating to the study of diseased cells.
• Specimen (n): An individual sample used for analysis or display.

Synonyms

• Cytology sample
• Cellular specimen
• Smear (refers to a specific type of cytologic specimen where cells are spread thinly on a slide, e.g., a Pap smear)

Related Phrases

• Cytologic examination/diagnosis: The process of analyzing the cytologic specimen.
  • The cytologic specimen was sent for cytologic examination.
• Cytologic screening: The process of testing cytologic specimens from a population to detect disease, such as cervical cancer screening.

Noun

1. a specimen used for cytologic examination and diagnosis