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A
Acellular
No cells present.
Acinus (plural acini)
The microscopic glandular unit that makes up the prostate gland. The acini open
into large acini and then into ducts, small chanells which carry the prostatic
secretions outward to the urethra. Precancerous conditions of the prostatic
acini are sometimes described as acinar dysplasia.
Adenocarcinoma
Carcinoma of glandular cells or tissue.
Adenoma
An ordinarily benign neoplasm of epithelial tissue in which the tumor cells
form glands or gland-like structures in the stroma.
Atypical
Not corresponding to the normal form or type.
Atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS)
Cells of a glandular type which are atypical, but do not meet the criteria for
precursors of adenocarcinoma.
Atypical Squamous cells of undetermined significant (ASCUS)
These are transformational cells which are not entirely benign, but which do
not meet the criteria for definite precursors of squamous cell carcinoma.
Atypical Squamous cells cannot rule out high grade dysplasia (ASC-H).
B
Basement membrane
A sharply defined barrier between epithelium and its immediately deep connective
or other supporting tissue.
Benign
Nonmalignant.
Biopsy
A specimen sample taken from a patient for diagnostic examination.
C
Carcinoma
Any malignant neoplasm arising from the epithelium.
Carcinoma in-situ
Carcinoma which has not progressed beyond the basement membrane of the tissue
in question.
Carcinoma, invasive
Carcinoma which has broken through the basement membrane and infiltrated into
other contiguous tissue.
Carcinoma, small cell undifferentiated
A particular type of carcinoma consisting mainly of small cells whose original
tissue type is not recognizable microscopically.
Cautery
The burning of tissue, by the application of extreme heat or a strong electrical
charge.
Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN)
A precursor to squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia, mild (CIN1)
A low-grade lesion with premalignant changes extending up to one-third the distance
between the basement membrane and the most superficial cell layer.
Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia, moderate (CIN2)
A high-grade lesion in which the premalignant changes have progressed beyond
CIN 1, but have not progressed beyond two-thirds the distance between the basement
membrane of the tissue and the most superficial cell layer.
Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia, severe (CIN3)
A high-grade lesion in which premalignant cell changes have extended from the
basement membrane of the tissue to the cell layer immediately below to the most
superficial cell layer.
Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix.
Cervix
The neck-like entrance to the uterus.
Chlamydia
A sexually-transmitted microorganism which infects the cervix as an intra-cellular
parasite.
Choriocarcinoma
A malignant tumor developing in the uterus.
Colposcopy
The direct examination via an endoscope of the vagina and cervix, using an instrument
with a powerful magnifying lens which is introduced into the vagina.
Columnar cells
Cells which typically have the shape of columns.
Condyloma
A wart-like growth of cells on the external genitals or anus, caused by a virus
or showing infective changes. Though typically benign, malignant changes have
been reported.
In the context of a Pap smear or cervical biopsy, the condyloma most often
referred to is condyloma acuminatum, a condyloma due to infection by the human
papillomas virus (HPV).
Conization
The removal of a portion of the cervix in the shape of a cone of tissue.
Cryotherapy
The destruction of malignant or pre-malignant tissue by freezing.
Curettage
A surgical procedure in which multiple portions of solid tissue are removed
using a curved blade.
Cytobrush
A brush-like tool for collecting a cervical or vaginal cytological tissue sample.
Cytology
The study of individual cells, without regard to their original architectural
orientation one to another.
Cytoplasm
The portion of a cell exclusive of its nucleus which contains the cell's protoplasm
and various organelles.
Cytopathology
The subspecialty of pathology concerned mainly with the interpretation of the
cytological samples. Also, that group of abnormal changes observed in any given
specimen of cells.
Cytotechnologist
A health professional who oversees the physical preparation of cell samples
for screening, and typically undertakes the screening once preparation has been
made.
D
Duct
A tubular structure giving exit to the secretion of a gland, or conducting any
fluid.
Dysplasia
Changes in cells or tissue which are immediate precursors to malignant neoplasm.
Dysplasia, mild
Dysplasia considered to be in an early stage in the progression to malignant
neoplasm.
Dysplasia, moderate
Dysplasia considered to be in an intermediate stage in the progression to malignant
neoplasm.
Dysplasia, severe
Dysplasia considered advanced to the stage immediately preceeding the development
of malignant neoplasm.
E
Ectocervix (exocervix)
The part of the cervix which immediately surrounds the entrance to the uterus.
Endocervix
The canal leading directly into the uterus.
Endometrium
The endometrial lining of the uterus.
Epithelial cells, columnar
Epithelial cells that take on the shape of a column.
Epithelial cells, squamous
Epithelial cells which are generally flat.
Epithelium
Cells or tissues specifically from skin, lung, anywhere along the digestive
tract (including mouth and anus), the urinary tract, and all glands, except
for lymph nodes.
Estrogen
A female sex and growth hormone typically associated with development of several
functions. These include the development and maintenance of the female reproductive
system, especially the endometrial lining and secondary sexual characteristics.
The menstrual cycle, ovarian cycle and female pubescent changes are controlled
by regulating factors originating in the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary.
Etiology
All of the causes of a disease or abnormal condition.
Excision
Any surgical procedure intended to remove diseased tissue in an effort to cure
or palliate the disease process.
F
Fallopian Tube
A conduit between an ovary and the uterus through which an egg travels to the
uterus after liberation from the ovary.
Fixation
The chemical treatment of cells or tissue intended to "fix" or halt all degeneration
and other chemical changes.
G
Gonorrhea
A sexually transmitted disease that primarily affects the urogenital mucous
membranes, the rectum and occasionally the eyes. It is characterized by the
production of large quantities of pus flowing from the urethra or the cervix.
Gynecology
The complete primary care of women with special attention to the female reproductive
system and other anatomical structures peculiar to women.
H
High-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HGSIL)
Cytological changes associated either with moderate or severe dysplasia observed
on a tissue biopsy.
Histology
The study of bodily tissues, as opposed to cytology, and the study of individual
disassociated cells.
Human papillomas virus (HPV)
A virus known to cause common venereal warts, with certain sub-types which are
known to cause squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix as well as all of its precursor
lesions.
Hyperkeratosis
Thickening of the horny layer of the epidermis or mucous membrane.
Hypocellular
Of low cellularity.
Hysterectomy
A surgical procedure involving the complete removal of the uterus.
I
In situ
In position, not extending beyond the focus or level or origin.
Invasion
The direct spread to a malignant neoplasm from the confines of the basement
membrane or any other natural barrier to other tissues.
K
Keratosis
Any lesion on the epidermis marked by the presence of circumscribed overgrowths
of the horny layer.
Koilocyte
A cell displaying the changes typical of a cell that has been infected by HPV.
L
Lesion
Any unwanted changes in cells or tissue. Lesions, pre-cancerous Lesions displaying
changes which are known to progress to cancer.
Low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LGSIL)
Cellular changes typically associated with mild dysplasia or condyloma on tissue
samples or Pap smears.
Lymphatic system
A system of ducts and nodes intended to drain from tissue any fluid which is
not normally collected by the venous system. Such fluid is referred to as lymph.
All lymph is ultimately collected in the thoracic duct, which empties into the
left brachiocephalic (innominate) vein.
M
Menopause
The final cessation of the menstrual cycle, typically caused when no eggs remain
in either ovary. Menopause can also be caused by complete removal of the ovaries
or the failure of the ovaries, either due to any of various autoimmune diseases
or for any other reason.
Metaplasia
The abnormal replacement of cells of one type by cells of another.
Metastasis
The establishment of a population of malignant cells removed from their original
tissue site, by means of a single malignant cell detaching itself from its original
site, and traveling through either the blood vessels or the lymphatic system,
to another site, and dividing at that site.
Morphology
Literally, the shape of a cell or tissue. Also, the study of such shapes.
N
Neoplasia or neoplasm
Any new growth of cells caused by abnormal division of cells, especially cells
which do not normally divide.
Neoplasm, benign
Any neoplasm whose cells do not metastasize and do not invade basement membranes,
but which instead, press against surrounding tissues without actually invading
them.
Neoplasm, malignant
Any neoplasm associated with metastasis or the direct invasion of a basement
membrane or other barrier.
O
Ovary
A female reproductive organ which produces and liberates eggs and which also
produces certain hormones important to the development of female sexual characteristics
and the maintenance of a pregnancy.
P
Pap smear or Pap test
A cytological specimen collected from the cervix or vagina. The "Pap" test was
developed by George Papanicolaou, MD. This procedure is generally painless,
and estimates indicate that "Pap" tests are 90% reliable in their detection
of carcinoma of the cervix.
Pathology
The study of disease processes affecting human and/or animals. Additionally,
any specific disease or the process of that disease, or the changes associated
with a disease process.
S
Specimen
Any sample of cells or tissue collected for medical or other scientific study.
Squamous intra-epithelial lesion (SIL)
Any cytological lesions which are definite precursors to the development of
carcinoma of the cervix.
Syphilis
A sexually transmitted disease caused by a spirochetal microorganism which is
said to mimic a host of other diseases but which, if left untreated, may progress
to blindness, organic brain disease, thoracic aortic aneurysm, partial paralysis
or death. Syphilis is easily treated in its early stages.
T
Transformation zone
That portion of the endocervix in which the largely columnar cells of the endocervical
canal transform themselves into the squamous or flattened cells of the ectocervix.
Trichomonas
A sexually transmitted protozoan which causes inflammation to the mucous membranes
of the vagina, vaginal discharge, and severe vaginal itch in women. It also
infects the cervix as an extracellular parasite.
U
Uterus
The female reproductive organ which contains and sustains an unborn child during
pregnancy.
V
Vagina
The bodily orifice, opening to the skin on one side and to the cervix on the
other, which serves as the entrance to the reproductive tract.
Virus
A package of nucleic acids and proteins which typically infects a cell, commandeers
the cell's nuclear reproductive apparatus, and by such methods causes human
diseases. These include the introduction of various genes responsible for the
development of malignant neoplasm.
Vulva
The outermost anatomical formation which surrounds the vagina and marks the
entrance to the reproductive tract.
Y
Yeast infection
An infection with any yeast, but especially with a specific microorganism (Candida
albicans) which typically produce a thick, whitish vaginal discharge, great
discomfort and bright red discoloration of the vulva and vagina.
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