Definition

1. Noun:
   • A thin tissue or blood sample spread on a glass slide and stained for cytologic examination and diagnosis under a microscope: A "cytologic smear" is a laboratory specimen prepared for microscopic analysis. It involves spreading cells thinly on a glass slide, applying stains to highlight cellular structures, and examining them to detect abnormalities, infections, or diseases.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The pathologist examined the cytologic smear for any signs of malignancy.
  • A routine Pap test involves collecting a cytologic smear from the cervix.
  • The quality of the cytologic smear is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.

Advanced Usage

• "to prepare a cytologic smear": The process of making the specimen.

  • The technician will prepare a cytologic smear from the fine-needle aspiration sample.

• "to screen a cytologic smear": To examine the specimen systematically.

  • Automated systems can help screen cytologic smears for abnormalities.

Variants and Related Words

• Smear (n): A more general term for a specimen spread on a slide. A "cytologic smear" is a specific type of smear.

  • The blood smear revealed abnormal white cells.

• Cytology (n): The branch of biology concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells.

  • She specializes in cytology and examines many smears daily.

• Pap smear (n, proprietary): A specific type of cytologic smear used to screen for cervical cancer.

  • She gets a Pap smear annually as part of her health check-up.

Synonyms

• Cytologic specimen: A sample of cells for examination.
• Cell smear: A less technical term for a prepared slide of cells.

Related Phrases

• Cytologic examination: The act of studying the smear under a microscope.

  • The cytologic examination of the pleural fluid smear confirmed the diagnosis.

• Stained smear: Emphasizes that the sample has been treated with dyes.

  • The stained smear allowed for clear visualization of the cell nuclei.

Noun

1. a thin tissue or blood sample spread on a glass slide and stained for cytologic examination and diagnosis under a microscope