Cytology vocab

Question 1

abnormal mitosis

Answer 1

incomplete cell division resulting in improper alignment of chromosomes
this process can create multinucleated giant cells, unequal numbers of nuclei within a cell, or distinctly abnormal shapes seen in metaphase

Question 2

adeno

Answer 2

combining form denoting relationship to a gland or glands

Question 3

acinar

Answer 3

any cluster of cells that resembles a many-lobed “berry”

Question 4

anisokaryosis

Answer 4

variation in nuclear size

Question 5

anisonucleoliosis

Answer 5

variation in nucleolar shape or size
more significant if the variation occurs inside the same nucleus

Question 6

carcinoma

Answer 6

a malignant growth of epithelial cells (tend to metastasize)

Question 7

cellularity

Answer 7

overall number of cells seen on a slide

Question 8

dysplasia

Answer 8

abnormal cell or tissue that may signify precancerous stage

Question 9

histiocytes

Answer 9

a connective tissue macrophage

Question 10

hyperplasia

Answer 10

an increase in normal cells

Question 11

macrokaryosis

Answer 11

increased nuclear size

Question 12

macronucleoli

Answer 12

increased nucleoli size (>5um)

Question 13

multinucleation

Answer 13

more than one nucleus in a cell
increased significance if accompanied by anisokaryosis; very significant if odd number of nuclei within the same cell

Question 14

neoplasia

Answer 14

any new or abnormal growth
may be benign or malignant

Question 15

N:C

Answer 15

ratio of the volume of the nucleus to the volume of the cytoplasm

Question 16

nuclear molding

Answer 16

one nucleus folds over another within the same cell
high likelihood of malignancy

Question 17

pleomorphism

Answer 17

variation of size and shape of same cell type

Question 18

sarcoma

Answer 18

connective tissue cell tumor

Question 19

transudate

Answer 19

poor cell fluid, clear and colorless (low protein <25 g/dL)

Question 20

modified transudate

Answer 20

presence of additional protein +/- cells

Question 21

exudate

Answer 21

very cellular (total protein >30 g/dL and increased cells)

Question 22

pyogranulomatous

Answer 22

epithelial-like macrophages with many neutrophils

Question 23

granulomatous

Answer 23

predominantly macrophages without many neutrophils

Question 24

epithelioid cells

Answer 24

morphologically similar to typical macrophages except cytoplasm contains either no or only small vacuoles

Question 25

multi-nucleated giant cells

Answer 25

macrophages with multiple nuclei

Question 26

karyorrhexis

Answer 26

breaking apart of pyknotic nucleu

Question 27

karyolysis

Answer 27

seen in rapid cell death, toxic environment
swollen, ragged nucleus, decreased staining