VLP 2: Cytology Evaluation

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes on veterinary laboratory procedures and cytology evaluation.

Cytology

The study of cells, particularly for diagnosing diseases.

Microscopic Slide Evaluation

The analysis of prepared slides under a microscope to assess specimen quality.

Neutrophils

White blood cells that respond first to inflammation and typically phagocytize dead tissue and organisms.

Hypersegmentation

A morphologic change in neutrophils characterized by elongated, thin filaments connecting nuclear lobes.

Macrophages

Large immune cells derived from monocytes, involved in chronic inflammation and capable of phagocytizing other cells.

Eosinophilic Inflammation

Inflammation characterized by the presence of more than 10% eosinophils, often associated with parasitic infections.

Karyolysis (Degenerative)

Rapid cell death results in a swollen, ragged nucleus with reduced staining intensity.

Anisokaryosis

An unusual variation in the overall size of the nucleus, indicating potential malignancy.

Pleomorphism

Variability in size and shape of the same cell type, often associated with malignant tumors.

Benign Neoplasia

A non-cancerous growth with no criteria for malignancy, typically uniform in cell type and morphology.

Malignant Tumors

Cancerous growths characterized by multiple abnormal cellular features and behaviors.

Pyknosis (Degenerative)

Slow cell death (aging); Small, condensed, dark nucleus

Karyorrheis (Degenerative)

Nuclear Fragmentation, Often follows pyknosis.

Anisokaryosis

any unusual variation in overall of the nucleus

Pleomorphism (anisocytosis)

Variability in size and shape of the same cell type

Nuclear criteria of Malignancy

Anisokaryosis

Pleomorphism

High or variable nucleus/cytoplasm ratio

Increase mitotic activity

Coarse chromatin pattern

Nuclear molding

Multinucleation

Nucleoli

Nuclear Molding

Deformation of nuclei by other nuclei

Nucleoli

vary in size (anisonucleoliosis), shape, and number

Epithelial Cells

Highly cellular and often exfoliate in clumps or sheets

Malignant Carcinoma

Histiocytoma (discrete round cell tumors)

not usually highly cellular (bengin)

Lymphoma (discrete round cell tumor)

lymph cells (malignant)

Mast cell tumors (discrete round cell tumor)

prominent purple/black granules (malignant)

Plasma Cells tumors (discrete round cell tumor)

large number of cells of eccentrically located nucleus and prominent perinuclear zone (benign plasmacytomas or malignant multiple myeloma)

Transmissible venereal tumors (discrete round cell tumors)

similar to histiocytoma but with increased cellularity (malignant)

Melanoma (discrete round cell tumor)

cells with prominent dark black granules (benign or malignant)

Transmissible Venereal Tumor (image)

Mast Cell Tumor (image)

Plasma Cell Tumor (image)

Melanoma (image)

Histiocytoma

Cutaneous histocytoma is often called a “button lesion.”