Noun: Papanicolaou smear
- A sample of secretions and superficial cells of the uterine cervix and uterus; examined with a microscope to detect any abnormal cells
"Her annual Papanicolaou smear came back normal";
- cervical smear, Pap smear [N. Amer]
Derived forms: Papanicolaou smears
Type of: cytologic smear, cytosmear, smear
Part of: Pap test [N. Amer], Papanicolaou test, smear test
Encyclopedia: Papanicolaou smear