Pap test
or pap test
[ pap ]
/ pæp /
noun
a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cervical cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear (Pap smear or pap smear) for examination of exfoliated cells.
a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels.
an examination of exfoliated cells in any body fluid, as sputum or urine, for cancer cells.
Also called
Papanicolaou test.
Origin of Pap test
1960–65; named after George
Papanicolaou (1883–1962), U.S. cytologist, born in Greece, who developed the staining method
British Dictionary definitions for pap smear
Pap test
Pap smear
/ (pæp) /
noun med
another name for cervical smear
a similar test for precancerous cells in other organs
US equivalent:
Papanicolaou smear
Word Origin for Pap test
C20: named after George
Papanicolaou (1883–1962), US anatomist, who devised it
Medical definitions for pap smear (1 of 2)
Pap smear
[ păp ]
n.
A screening test, especially for cervical cancer, in which a smear of cells exfoliated or scraped from the cervix or vagina is treated with Papanicolaou stain and examined under a microscope for pathological changes.
Papanicolaou smear Papanicolaou test Pap test
Medical definitions for pap smear (2 of 2)
Pap test
n.
Pap smear
Scientific definitions for pap smear
Pap smear
[ păp ]
A screening test, especially for cervical cancer, in which a smear of cells scraped from the cervix or vagina is treated with a chemical stain and examined under a microscope for pathological changes. Pap smears are performed routinely during gynecological exams.