The study of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of the cell. SYN: cellular biology, cytobiology. [cyto- + G. logos, study]
- exfoliative c. the examination, for diagnostic purposes, of cells denuded from a neoplasm (or other type of lesion) and recovered from the sediment of the exudate, secretions, or washings from the tissue ( e.g., sputum, vaginal secretion, gastric washings, urine). SYN: cytopathology (2).
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1) a branch of biology dealing with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history of cells
2) the cytological aspects of a process or structure
cy·to·log·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv
cy·tol·o·gist sī-'täl-ə-jəst n
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n.
the study of the structure and function of cells. The examination of cells under a microscope is used in the diagnosis of various diseases. These cells are obtained by scraping an organ, as in cervical cytology (see cervical smear), by aspiration (see aspiration cytology), or they are collected from cells already shed (exfoliative cytology). See also biopsy.
• cytological adj.
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cy·tol·o·gy (si-tolґə-je) [cyto- + -logy] cell biology.Medical dictionary. 2011.