Diagnostic Cytology and Respiratory Cytopathology Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the principles of diagnostic cytology, specimen collection methods, and specific features of respiratory cytopathology and pulmonary neoplasms.

Diagnostic Cytology (DC)

The science that interprets cells that are either exfoliated from epithelial surfaces or removed from various tissues to identify the cause or nature of disease.

Cytotechnology (CT)

A discipline encompassing the collection, smear preparation, fixation, and staining of specimens to evaluate microscopic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Exfoliative Cytology

The examination of cells naturally shed from epithelial surfaces or removed via abrasive methods from organ surfaces.

Abrasive Cytology

A technique where cells are obtained by scraping, brushing, or washing mucosal surfaces, typically used to confirm or exclude malignancy.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)

A method for sampling palpable masses or organs using a fine needle attached to a syringe to obtain material for diagnosis.

Centesis

A surgical procedure involving the puncturing of a body cavity, organ, or joint with a hollow needle to remove fluid.

Paracentesis

A specific surgical procedure used for abdominal drainage of fluid.

Thoracentesis

A surgical procedure used for drainage of the chest cavity.

Arthrocentesis

A surgical procedure used for drainage of a joint cavity.

Pericardiocentesis

A surgical procedure used for drainage from the sac surrounding the heart.

Imprints

Smears prepared by touching a pre-labeled slide with the cut surface of fresh tissue or a small biopsy, often used during intraoperative surgery.

Ciliated Columnar Cells

Tall respiratory epithelial cells with apical cilia responsible for mucus transport.

Goblet Cells

Mucus-producing cells scattered among respiratory epithelial cells that lack cilia and have cytoplasm distended by mucus.

Basal Cells

Small undifferentiated reserve cells located near the basement membrane that serve as forerunners of ciliated and goblet cells.

Alveolar Macrophages

Large phagocytic cells with foamy or bubbly cytoplasm that often contains black carbon particles or hemosiderin pigment.

Type I Pneumocytes

Thin cells lining the alveoli that are rarely identified in cytology specimens.

Type II Pneumocytes

Cuboidal cells that produce surfactant and may proliferate in response to lung injury.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

A procedure where sterile saline is instilled into distal airways and recollected, useful for diagnosing opportunistic infections and interstitial lung diseases.

Post-bronchoscopic sputum (PBS)

A valuable specimen for detecting pulmonary lesions, especially when combined with BAL or fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Liquid-Based Cytology

A laboratory processing method designed to improve cell preservation and slide quality compared to direct smears.

Charcot-Leyden crystals

Needle-shaped crystals found in bronchial washings that are by-products of eosinophil degranulation, commonly seen in asthma patients.

Epithelioid histiocytes

Cells with curved, elongated, boomerang-like nuclei that aggregate into granulomas, serving as a defining feature of tuberculosis.

Ziehl–Neelsen stain

A special stain used to identify M. Tuberculosis organisms for definitive diagnosis.

Gomori methenamine silver (GMS)

A special stain used to identify fungal hyphae or yeast forms in cytology specimens.

Pathognomonic Measles cells

Giant multinucleated epithelial cells containing eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SQC)

A malignant tumor characterized by keratinized cells, dense orangeophilic cytoplasm, and hyperchromatic pyknotic nuclei, sometimes including tadpole cells.

Nuclear Molding

A cytological feature of small cell carcinoma where tightly packed, fragile cells show nuclei that press against and shape one another.

Adenocarcinoma

A malignant tumor of the peripheral lung characterized by glandular arrangement, vacuolated cytoplasm, and honeycomb-like cellular formations.

Small Cell Carcinoma

A highly aggressive malignancy consisting of small hyperchromatic cells with scant cytoplasm and powdery chromatin texture.

Large Cell Carcinoma

A tumor composed of loosely arranged, markedly enlarged pleomorphic cells with multiple irregular nucleoli.

TTF-1 and Napsin A

Commonly used immunocytochemistry (ICC) markers used to identify Adenocarcinoma.

p40 and p63

Specific immunocytochemistry (ICC) markers utilized for the identification of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Synaptophysin and Chromogranin

Immunocytochemistry (ICC) markers used in the diagnosis of Small Cell Carcinoma.