Smear, Pap

Smear, Pap
A screening test for cervical cancer based on the examination under the microscope of cells collected from the cervix, smeared on a slide and specially stained to reveal premalignant (before cancer) and malignant (cancer) changes as well as changes due to noncancerous conditions such as inflammation from infections. The Pap technique was developed by and named after George Papanicolaou (1883-1962), a Greek-born physician and scientist who moved to the U.S. In 1923, while looking at vaginal smears from women with cervical cancer, Papanicolaou saw cancer cells. After two decades of research on this subject, he reported in 1943 that both cervical and uterine cancer could be detected in their early stages with this test that has, since its inception, saved innumerable lives.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Pap test — Intervention ICD 9 CM 795.00 …   Wikipedia

  • Pap test — /pap/ 1. a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cervical cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear (Pap smear or pap smear) for examination of exfoliated cells. 2. a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels. 3.… …   Universalium

  • Pap smear — pap n a method or a test based on it for the early detection of cancer esp. of the uterine cervix that involves staining exfoliated cells by a special technique which differentiates diseased tissue called also Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou… …   Medical dictionary

  • Pap test — Pap′ (or pap′) test [[t]pæp[/t]] n. 1) med a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear(Pap′(or pap′) smear )for examination of exfoliated cells 2) med a vaginal Pap smear used to… …   From formal English to slang

  • Pap test — ☆ Pap test [pap ] n. [after G. Papanicolaou (1883 1962), U.S. anatomist] the microscopic examination of cells taken as a smear (Pap smear) from the cervix of a woman, used as a test for uterine cancer in its early, curable stage …   English World dictionary

  • Pap smear — noun a sample of secretions and superficial cells of the uterine cervix and uterus; examined with a microscope to detect any abnormal cells • Syn: ↑cervical smear, ↑Papanicolaou smear • Hypernyms: ↑smear, ↑cytologic smear, ↑cytosmear • …   Useful english dictionary

  • Pap test — n. a test done by a cervical smear. Etymology: abbr. of G. N. Papanicolaou, US scientist d. 1962 * * * noun a method of examining stained cells in a cervical smear for early diagnosis of uterine cancer • Syn: ↑Papanicolaou test, ↑smear test •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • smear test — noun a method of examining stained cells in a cervical smear for early diagnosis of uterine cancer • Syn: ↑Pap test, ↑Papanicolaou test • Hypernyms: ↑diagnostic test, ↑diagnostic assay • Part Meronyms: ↑cervical smear, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • smear — 1. verb /smɪə,smɪɚ/ a) To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing. The artist smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes. b) To have a substance smeared on (a surface). She smeared her lips… …   Wiktionary

  • smear test — noun A screening test to detect pre cancerous and cancerous cells by taking a sample (‘smear’) of cells from the cervix. Syn: cervical smear, Pap smear, Pap test …   Wiktionary

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