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Difference between revisions of "Cytopathology"
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[[Image:Granulomatous inflammation - alt -- high mag.jpg|thumb|right|Granulomatous inflammation in the hilum of lung. [[Diff-Quik stain]].]] | [[Image:Granulomatous inflammation - alt -- high mag.jpg|thumb|right|Granulomatous inflammation in the hilum of lung. [[Diff-Quik stain]].]] | ||
'''Cytopathology''', often called ''cytology'', is the study of pathologic changes in cells. | '''Cytopathology''', often called ''cytology'', is the study of pathologic changes in cells. | ||
Specimen types include exfoliated cervical cytology (Pap tests), urine, body cavity fluids (pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal), cerebrospinal fluid, and fine needle aspirations from any body site, among others. These are often collected by minimally invasive means. | |||
Cytologic preparation methods usually include viewing single cells or small clusters of cells on slides, in contrast to surgical biopsy specimens that usually include larger pieces of tissue, with tissue architecture. In some institutions, small tissue biopsies such as core needle biopsies may also be assigned to the cytology service. | |||
It is often divided into ''[[gynecologic cytology|gynecologic]]'' and ''non-gynecologic''. ''Gynecologic'' in this context usually refers to Pap test specimens, i.e. uterine cervix, vaginal vault; other gynecologic specimens are considered ''non-gynecologic''. | It is often divided into ''[[gynecologic cytology|gynecologic]]'' and ''non-gynecologic''. ''Gynecologic'' in this context usually refers to Pap test specimens, i.e. uterine cervix, vaginal vault; other gynecologic specimens are considered ''non-gynecologic''. | ||