Cervical cytology is used for screening for premalignant changes in the cervix. Samples are taken, prepared and reported in a standardised way using specific terminology.

In the UK, cervical samples are prepared using liquid-based cytology methods and stained with the Papanicolaou stain.

Testing for high risk subtypes of Human Papilloma Virus is performed on some samples to guide patient management, but the examination of the sample by microscopy is still a vital part of the cervical screening process.

We will look at the normal and abnormal cells that can be seen in cervical cytology specimens and how these should be reported using the numerical reporting system.



There are many documents available on the NHS cervical screening website that may be of interest to trainees in cervical cytology, but two documents are suggested as essential reading.

The NHS cervical screening programme document:

• Achievable standards, Benchmarks for reporting, and Criteria for evaluating cervical cytopathology

This contains information about the use of the numerical reporting system, HPV testing of samples, cytological diagnosis, and management and follow up of patients.

The paper in Cytopathology journal:

• The revised BSCC terminology for abnormal cervical cytology

This open access paper describes criteria for diagnosis and grading of squamous dyskaryosis, diagnosis of glandular neoplasia and the use of the "borderline" category.


N.B. All images in this section are from SurePath preparations.