Your provider will use a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to widen the vagina, so the cervix can be seen. Your provider will then use a small, soft brush or swab to collect cells from the cervix. The cell sample is sent to a lab for testing.
Table of Contents
What tools are used in a Pap smear?
Your provider will use a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to widen the vagina, so the cervix can be seen. Your provider will then use a small, soft brush or swab to collect cells from the cervix. The cell sample is sent to a lab for testing.
How is cervical cytology test done?
The cells are taken with a wooden or plastic scraper and/or a cervical brush and placed in a vial of liquid preservative. The slide or vial is then sent to a laboratory where the cells are tested for the presence of high-risk types of HPV and/or examined under a microscope with a liquid-based Pap cytology test.
What is Pap cytology?
Cervical Cytology: The study of cells taken from the cervix using a microscope. Also called a Pap test. Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus at the top of the vagina. Colposcopy: Viewing of the cervix, vulva, or vagina under magnification with an instrument called a colposcope.
What kind of microscope is used to diagnose a Pap smear?
The doctor may choose to do a procedure known as a colposcopy. In this test, the doctor looks at the cervix through an instrument called a colposcope (a lighted microscope) to look for an explanation for the abnormality in the Pap smear finding.
What tools are used during a pelvic exam?
During the exam, a device called a speculum will be inserted into the vagina. The speculum is opened to widen the vagina so that the vagina and cervix can be seen. Perform a Pap smear. Your doctor will use a plastic spatula and small brush to take a sample of cells from the cervix.
What is a speculum tool?
A speculum is a duck-bill-shaped device that doctors use to see inside a hollow part of your body and diagnose or treat disease. One common use of the speculum is for vaginal exams. Gynecologists use it to open the walls of the vagina and examine the vagina and cervix.
How are cervical cytology specimens collected?
Cell samples for cervical cytology and HPV testing are obtained during the speculum examination. With certain types of Pap tests (eg, ThinPrep), the same specimen can be used for analysis of both cytology and HPV; alternatively, some tests (eg, SurePath) require that separate specimens be obtained.
What is the difference between cytology and HPV testing?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer. The latest scientific evidence shows that screening for HPV is better than screening for abnormal cytology with a ‘smear’ test, so HPV testing is being rolled out nationally. The main disadvantage is that more women will test positive and be referred for further tests.
What is the gynecologist tool called?
What is a speculum? A speculum is a duck-bill-shaped device that doctors use to see inside a hollow part of your body and diagnose or treat disease. One common use of the speculum is for vaginal exams. Gynecologists use it to open the walls of the vagina and examine the vagina and cervix.
What is Pap smear kit?
SECURE Papsmear Test Kit| Cervical Traction Kit (NA) Pap-Test is a painless examination to detect the presence of any anomalous cells on the cervix. It allows an early diagnosis of uterus neck cancer.
Can a speculum cut you?
Complications related to speculum use The speculum might feel like it’s stretching out your vagina, but it only opens up the vaginal canal temporarily. It won’t widen or loosen your vagina. A speculum shouldn’t cause damage or injury when used by a trained doctor.
What tool do gynecologists use?
Vaginal speculums
The two-bladed, or bivalve, speculum is the most common type of instrument gynecologists use to examine the vagina and cervix. The doctor inserts the speculum into the vagina and opens up the blades, which exposes the inside of the vagina and cervix. Vaginal speculums come in different sizes.
Why did the speculum hurt so much?
Sometimes a pap test is excruciatingly painful not because the speculum is the wrong size, but because your vaginal issue is thin and dry or the muscles that surround the vagina are tense and painful.
How do you collect a cytology sample?
Prepare 1-2 slides per brushing. If separate sites are brushed, the slides should be properly marked. 3. The specimen should be sent to the Laboratory accompanied by a Cytology requisition/transmittal completed with the patient’s name, hospital number, room number, requesting physician and source of specimen.
How do you perform a Pap smear spatula?
Obtain an adequate sampling from the ectocervix using a plastic spatula by placing the rounded tip of the spatula into the cervix until the curved edge of the spatula rests against the ectocervix. Rotate the spatula 360 degrees.
Does cytology detect HPV?
For example, cytology alone does not detect HPV, which is responsible for more than 99 percent of cervical cancers. Using reflex HPV testing with cytology can be helpful in clarifying ambiguous cytologic findings (such as ASCUS).
What does a Pap smear tell the Doctor?
Stage 0 means your cancer cells are on the surface of your cervix and do not invade deeper
What is Pap smear and what do my results mean?
you’re at high risk of cervical cancer
Why is it called a “Pap smear”?
A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. It tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix . The cervix is the opening of the uterus. During the routine procedure, cells from your cervix are gently scraped away and then examined for abnormal growth.
What to expect with a Pap smear?
Everyone is nervous about it. You must remember this.