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Normal and Benign Cervical Cytology

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Practical Cytopathology

Part of the book series: Practical Anatomic Pathology ((PAP))

Abstract

A correctly taken cervical smear or liquid-based cytology preparation contains a variety of epithelial cells from the ectocervical squamous epithelium, transformation zone, and endocervical canal. A benign sample could also contain exfoliated endometrial cells, histiocytes, leukocytes, red blood cells, and normal vaginal flora. The type of epithelial cells seen on slides is determined by factors like the degree of maturation of the cervical epithelium, the location of the squamocolumnar junction which depends on the hormonal status at the time of sampling, the presence of metaplastic changes in the transformation zone, or the presence of inflammation or infection. Knowing the spectrum of benign findings is of paramount importance for the correct interpretation of cervical cytology specimens.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Rossitza Draganova-Tacheva

  2. Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kim HooKim

Authors
  1. Rossitza Draganova-Tacheva
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  2. Kim HooKim
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Correspondence to Rossitza Draganova-Tacheva .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA

    Huihong Xu

  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Xiaohua Qian

  3. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    He Wang

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Draganova-Tacheva, R., HooKim, K. (2020). Normal and Benign Cervical Cytology. In: Xu, H., Qian, X., Wang, H. (eds) Practical Cytopathology . Practical Anatomic Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24059-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24059-2_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-24058-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-24059-2

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