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Glite Dictionary
bronchoscopic smear

bronchoscopic smear

8.2
A sample of cells taken from the lungs with a small camera to check for lung disease
  • noun
  • /ˌbrɒŋkəˈskɒpɪk smɪr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : frotis broncoscópico
  • A bronchoscopic smear revealed malignant cells in the patient's lung tissue.

Examples

  • The doctor ordered a bronchoscopic smear to help diagnose the persistent cough.

  • After performing the bronchoscopic smear, the lab could quickly identify signs of infection.

  • The doctor took a bronchoscopic smear during the procedure.

  • Have you ever had a bronchoscopic smear done?

  • A bronchoscopic smear revealed malignant cells in the patient's lung tissue.

  • After performing the bronchoscopic smear, the lab could quickly identify signs of infection.

  • The doctor ordered a bronchoscopic smear to help diagnose the persistent cough.

Synonyms

lower respiratory tract smear
vsbronchoscopic smear
  • Specialized
7.9

A sample from the lungs placed on a slide to look for infection or cancer

is taken during a tube-guided lung inspection to examine cells for lung disease
cytologic smear
vsbronchoscopic smear
  • Specialized
6.1

A small sample of cells spread thin on a glass slide to look at under a microscope

is specific to samples from deep lung areas rather than any tissue or blood

Surface Forms

bronchoscopic smear singular
bronchoscopic smears plural

Morphology

bronchoscopic + smear

The meaning is directly derivable from 'bronchoscopic' (relating to examination of the bronchi) plus 'smear' (a specimen spread on a microscope slide). Although technical, the compound is compositionally straightforward and a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to a smear taken during bronchoscopy.

Etymology

The noun bronchoscopic smear comes from the procedure bronchoscopic, when a thin camera goes into the windpipe and lungs, and the word smear, which means spreading a tiny 'sample' of 'cells' thinly on a glass slide. That's why the phrase means a 'sample' of cells taken from the lower airways to help 'diagnose' lung problems.