liquid-based cytology

A type of Pap test in which cells are scraped from the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus, or womb) with a brush, which is then washed in a special fluid to collect the cells. A special machine then filters the cells from the fluid and spreads them on a slide in a thin, even layer for examination under a microscope.

Also called liquid-based thin-layer slide preparation or liquid-based Pap test.

Compare with conventional cytology.