| cytologic smear n. A cytologic specimen made by smearing a sample, then fixing it and staining it, usually with 95% ethyl alcohol and Papanicolaou stain. Also called cytosmear. |
cytologic smear (sī´t
loj´ik),n the product of a diagnostic technique where cells are scraped off the surface of a lesion found in the oral cavity. The gleaned cells are then examined under a microscope for indications of a variety of diseases. Considered a preliminary diagnostic test, it is not used to detect more serious conditions that require deeper tissue samples.
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