cytology

noun

cy·​tol·​o·​gy sī-ˈtä-lə-jē How to pronounce cytology (audio)
1
a
: a branch of biology dealing with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history of cells : cell biology
b
: the cellular aspects of a phenomenon, process, or structure
liver cytology
2
: the microscopic examination of cells obtained from the body (as by aspiration or scraping) for diagnostic purposes : exfoliative cytology
A Mayo study found that cytology is only 40 percent sensitive in detecting bladder cancer among people who have the disease.Mayo Clinic Health Letter

called also cytopathology

cytological adjective
or cytologic
cytologically adverb
cytologist noun

Examples of cytology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For women ages 30 to 65, the USPSTF recommends screening every three years with cervical cytology alone, every five years with high-risk HPV testing alone, or every five years with high-risk HPV testing in combination with cytology. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024 Methods to screen for cervical cancer The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for cervical cancer with cervical cytology– also known as a Pap test or Pap smear –every three years for women ages 21 to 29. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024 Urine cytology: This microscopic examination of a urine sample checks for precancerous or cancerous cells. James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2024 Your pap smear reveals a quite normal cytology. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2022 The test process begins with an at-home kit that includes two small cytology brushes, which are used to collect cheek cells from inside the dog’s mouth. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022 Getting Over the Code Delusion is to a large extent a primer on molecular genetics, cytology, and genomics for the uninitiated. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2010 At Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Lauro Cavazos earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1949 and a master’s in zoological cytology, the study of cells, in 1951. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2022 Born in 1917, Ranadive earned a doctorate in cytology, the study of cells, while working at the Indian Cancer Research Center. Brett Molina, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cytology was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near cytology

Cite this Entry

“Cytology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytology. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cytology

noun
cy·​tol·​o·​gy sī-ˈtäl-ə-jē How to pronounce cytology (audio)
: a branch of biology dealing with cells
cytological adjective
or cytologic

Medical Definition

cytology

noun
cy·​tol·​o·​gy sī-ˈtäl-ə-jē How to pronounce cytology (audio)
plural cytologies
1
a
: a branch of biology dealing with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history of cells : cell biology
b
: the cellular aspects of a phenomenon, process, or structure
the cytology of cancer
liver cytology
2
: the microscopic examination of cells obtained from the body (as by aspiration or scraping) for diagnostic purposes : exfoliative cytology
A Mayo study found that cytology is only 40 percent sensitive in detecting bladder cancer among people who have the disease.Mayo Clinic Health Letter

called also cytopathology

cytological adjective
or cytologic
cytological examination
cytologic techniques
cytologically adverb
cytologically normal cells
a cytologically confirmed carcinoma
cytologist noun

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