Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.
Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.
Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

Cytology

What is cytology?

Cytology is the exam of a single cell. These cells are often found in fluid samples. Cytology is used to do the following:

  • Diagnose or screen for cancer or diseases

  • Screen for fetal abnormalities

  • Screen for Pap tests

  • Diagnose infectious organisms

  • Work with other screening and diagnostic areas

The cells to be examined may be taken by these methods:

  • Scraping or brushing the tissue surface, such as during a Pap test

  • Collecting body fluids, such as for urine or respiratory mucus (phlegm)

  • Removing cells by drawing them through a fine needle (fine-needle aspiration), such as abdominal fluid in ascites, pleural fluid from the lungs, cells from a thyroid nodule, or cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal

  • Doing other types of tissue biopsy 

Cytology is different from histology. Cytology generally means looking at a single cell on its own. Histology is looking at an entire block of tissue. 

Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Jonas DeMuro MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Contact Our Health Professionals
Follow Us
Powered by StayWell
About StayWell