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cytologic specimen

cytologic specimen

8.0
A sample of cells taken from the body for examination under a microscope
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪtəˈlɒdʒɪk ˈspɛsɪmən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : muestra citológica
  • A cytologic specimen can help detect cancerous changes at an early stage.

Examples

  • Proper handling of the cytologic specimen is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

  • The doctor sent the cytologic specimen to the pathology lab for further analysis.

  • The doctor requested a cytologic specimen for analysis.

  • I need to collect a cytologic specimen from the patient.

  • A cytologic specimen can help detect cancerous changes at an early stage.

  • The doctor sent the cytologic specimen to the pathology lab for further analysis.

  • Proper handling of the cytologic specimen is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Synonyms

specimen
vscytologic specimen
  • Specialized
24 4.2

A small sample of blood, urine, or tissue taken for testing

is specifically a cell sample intended for microscopic diagnosis rather than any material
cytologic smear
vscytologic specimen
  • Specialized
6.1

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

is a general cell sample not limited to thin stained slide preparations
cytosmear
vscytologic specimen
  • Specialized
9.1

A thin sample of cells spread and stained on a glass slide to view under a microscope

is a broader cell sample not always prepared as a thin slide preparation

Surface Forms

Morphology

cytologic + specimen

The adjective 'cytologic' (related to cells) combined with 'specimen' (a sample) yields a directly compositional meaning: a sample of cells. Despite being technical vocabulary, the adjective+noun structure and the recognizable 'cyto-' element make the sense predictable for a learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Cytologic specimen names a small 'sample' of cells taken to be looked at under a microscope. Cytologic points to 'cells' and a specimen is a 'sample', so imagine tiny cells on a slide being checked, and that's why it means 'a sample of cells' used to find disease.