VAGINAL HORMONAL CYTOLOGY AND EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY Flashcards
where in the vaginal wall is specimen bast taken for vaginal hormonal cytology
upper lateral third of the vaginal wall
t/f vaginal hormonal cytology may be performed regularly without undue risk
t
cells with dark pyknotic nuclei
mature superficial cells
(characteristic of superficial vaginal cells under estrogen influence)
true acidophilia
- polygonal squamous cell
- pale, pink - staining cytoplasm
mature superficial cells
medium-sized polyhedral or elongated cells with basophilic cytoplasm showing vacuoles
intermediate cells
boat - shaped with tendency to fold or curl on edges
navicular cells
combined estrogen-progesterone effect
navicular cells
Observed in latter half of the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or menopause
navicular cells
- medium sized
- polyhedral or elongated
- basophilic cytoplasm
intermediate cells
fried egg appearance
parabasal cells
strongly basophilic cytoplasm and a large vesicular nucleus
parabasal cells
In what circumstances are parabasal cells observed
- 2 weeks of age to puberty
- After childbirth
- Abortions
- After menopause
slightly cylindrical w/ less basophilic cytoplasm; found during and 1-4 days after menstruation
endometrial cells
- round to oval
- small basophilic cytoplasm
parabasal cells
- large groups or small sheets
- pale blue/gray cytoplasm
- indistinct cell borders
- finely granular chromatin
endocervical cells
- Small round to slightly oval cells with relatively large nuclei
- Found before puberty and after menopause
basal cells
Presence of a “palm leaf” pattern (arborization) on drying of the vaginal or cervical secretions due to formation of salt crystals under the influence of estrogen (inhibited by progesterone)
ferning
CRITERIA FOR CYTOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS OF NORMAL PREGNANCY
- Marked progesterone effect (NO ferning)
- At least 50% of intermediate cells in clusters
- Some typical pregnancy cells present
- Less than 30% superficial cells
- Doderlein-filled “dirty” background
papanicolau stain
- Harris Hematoxylin
- OG 6 (Orange Green 6)
- EA – 36 or EA – 50
nuclear stain/basophilic stain
Harris hematoxylin
made up of 0.5
- 1.0% solution of OG in 95% EA and PTA
- Intensifier or differentiator
OG 6
Advantages of Pap’s stain
- Transparent blue stain of the cytoplasm; allows overlapped cells to be identified
- Excellent nuclear details
- Color range is predictable and of great value in identification and classification of cells
- Valuable in comparing cellular appearances in smears
binds with nucleic acids
Acridine Orange
color or RNA under fluorescence microscope
brick to orange red
color of DNA under fluorescence microscope
green and yellow
signifies growth
Increased basophilia (RNA)
signifies malignancy
Increased acidophilia (DNA)
2nd best choice after Pap’s staining
phase-contrast microscopy
Used for hormonal evaluation of gynecologic specimen and for CA detection
Phase - Contrast microscopy
Determines dry weight of individual cells or cellular constituents
Interference microscopy
CA cell nucleus and cytoplasmic dry weight is LESS than that of normal cells
Interference microscopy
Branch of medicine which deals with the study of cells that are exfoliated or scraped off from the lining epithelium and mucosa of different organs
exfoliative cytology
t/f Exfoliative cytology deals with cells that have been desquamated from epithelial surfaces
t
study of abnormal cells (e.g. CA cells)
cytopathology
study of the different methods of preparing the cells of microscopic examination
cytotechnique
sym. Malignancy; cells are markedly undifferentiated histologically
cancer
- For diagnosis of cancer
- For differentiation between malignant and benign tumors
- Differentiate tumors from other diseases (e.g. infections, inflammations or degenerations)
exfoliative cytology