Cytopathology (from Greek κύτος, kytos, "a hollow"; πάθος, pathos, "fate, harm"; and -λογία, -logia) is a branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level. The discipline was founded by Rudolf Virchow in 1858. A common application of cytopathology is the Pap smear, used as a screening tool, to detect precancerous cervical lesions and prevent cervical cancer. It is generally used on samples of free cells or tissue fragments, in contrast to histopathology, which studies whole tissues.

Cytopathologic tests are often called smear tests because the samples are smeared over a microscope slide to be studied for any pathology. However, a smear test usually refers specifically to a Pap test, that is, a cervical smear. However, smear tests also include e.g. vaginal wet mount, that is, a vaginal smear. Different types of smear tests may also be used for cancer diagnosis. In this sense, it is termed a cytologic smear.

Cytopathology is frequently, less precisely, called cytology, which means "the study of cells."

Noun

cytopathology (uncountable)

1. (cytology, pathology) The branch of pathology that deals with abnormalities of cells.

See also

• exfoliative cytology

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Abbey Veterinary Services - Diagnostic veterinary laboratory specialising in histopathology and cytopathology. Also offers bacterial/fungal culture and urine calculus ...