Pap Smear Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Pap Smear article.
Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient. Adenocarcinoma: A cancer that develops in the lining or inner surface of an organ and usua... See the entire definition of AdenocarcinomaAnesthesia: Loss of feeling or awareness, as when an anesthetic is administered before sur... See the entire definition of AnesthesiaAtypical: Unusual, or not fitting a single diagnostic Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for ... See the entire definition of BiopsyBirth control: Birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent p... See the entire definition of Birth controlCancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ... See the entire definition of CancerCancer of the cervix: See: Cervical cancer. Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of any living thing. Each cell is a small c... See the entire definition of CellCervical: Having to do with any kind of neck, including the neck on which the head is perc... See the entire definition of CervicalCervical cancer: Cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). The cervix is the lower, na... See the entire definition of Cervical cancerCervix: The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus, a hollow, ... See the entire definition of CervixColposcope: A lighted magnifying instrument used by a gynecologist to examine the tissues ... See the entire definition of ColposcopeColposcopy: A procedure in which a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope (or v... See the entire definition of ColposcopyCure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou... See the entire definition of CureDiagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDischarge: 1.The flow of fluid from part of the body, such as from the nose or vag... See the entire definition of DischargeFixative: A medium such as a solution or spray that preserves specimens of tissues or cell... See the entire definition of FixativeGenital: Pertaining to the external and/or internal organs of reproduction. Herpes: A family of viruses. Herpes also refers to infection with one of the human herpesv... See the entire definition of HerpesHIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi... See the entire definition of HIVHPV: Human papillomavirus. Human immunodeficiency virus: HIV, the cause of AIDS. HIV has also been called the human... See the entire definition of Human immunodeficiency virusHuman papillomavirus: HPV. A family of over 100 viruses including those which cause warts ... See the entire definition of Human papillomavirusImmune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies. Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every... See the entire definition of Immune systemImmunodeficiency: The inability to form a normal immune response. Immunodeficiency can be ... See the entire definition of ImmunodeficiencyIn situ: In the normal location. An in situ tumor is one that is confined to its site of o... See the entire definition of In situIncidence: The frequency with which something, such as a disease or trait, appears in a pa... See the entire definition of IncidenceIndicate: In medicine, to make a treatment or procedure advisable because of a particular ... See the entire definition of IndicateInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionIntraepithelial: Within the layer of cells that forms the surface or lining of an organ. F... See the entire definition of IntraepithelialLesion: An area of abnormal tissue change. Lesions vary in severity from harmless to serio... See the entire definition of LesionMenopause: The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop; it is also... See the entire definition of MenopauseMicroscope: An optical instrument that augments the power of the eye to see small objects.... See the entire definition of MicroscopeMicroscopic: So small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope. As opposed to macro... See the entire definition of MicroscopicMucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body. Neoplasia: Abnormal new growth of cells. Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPap Smear: A screening test for cervical cancer based on the examination of cells under th... See the entire definition of Pap SmearPap test: A screening test for cervical cancer that involves the microscopic examination o... See the entire definition of Pap testPelvic: Having to do with the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen, located between the h... See the entire definition of PelvicPelvic exam: An examination of the organs of the female reproductive system. Precancerous: Pertaining to something that is not yet overtly cancerous, but appears to be... See the entire definition of PrecancerousPregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi... See the entire definition of PregnancySpeculum: An instrument that is used to widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix... See the entire definition of SpeculumSquamous cells: Flat cells that look like fish scales. The word "squamous" came from the L... See the entire definition of Squamous cellsSquamous intraepithelial lesion: A general term for the abnormal growth of squamous cells ... See the entire definition of Squamous intraepithelial lesionStomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp... See the entire definition of StomachTrichomonas: A single-celled protozoan parasite best known in medicine because one species... See the entire definition of TrichomonasUterus: A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman's lower abdomen, between th... See the entire definition of UterusVagina: The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. It is ... See the entire definition of VaginaVaginal discharge: Vaginal discharge is a fluid produced by glands in the vaginal wall and... See the entire definition of Vaginal dischargeViral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa... See the entire definition of ViralVirus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar... See the entire definition of Virus
|
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Women's Health Resources
- 7 Tips for Hiding Dandruff
- Top Diet, Fitness and Beauty Tips
- 7 Things You Should Know About Your Vagina
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Featured Topics
Medical Dictionary
Pill Identifier on RxList
- quick, easy,
pill identification
Find a Local Pharmacy
- including 24 hour, pharmacies


