GLOSSARY  about  Pap-test  and  Colposcopy

Abnormal transformation zone: (see also Transformation zone)The colposcopic features that differentiate an abnormal transformation zone from the normal include the following: colour tone of acetowhite areas; surface pattern of acetowhite areas; borderline between acetowhite areas and the rest of the epithelium; vascular features and colour changes after application of iodine.

Acetic acid: the acid Acetic in watery solution to the 3-5% it dissolves the cervical mucus, and it concurs to evidence, within 20-30 second from its application, the abnormal areas of the esocervice.

A.N.T.Z. (Abnormal Transformation Zone): term used in the colposcopic classification to describe pathological colposcopic pictures. It can be subdivided in ANTZ G0 (degree 0), ANTZ G1 (degree 1) and ANTZ G2 (degree 2). 

A.G.U.S. (Atypical Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance): atypical cells on Pap-test relatively to the glandular cells (endocervixi? endometrium?), than they do not show clearly  tumorals characteristic. They are advises ulterior assessments.

A.S.C.U.S. (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance): cells that show the anomalies at the microscopical examination, more or less meaningful, regarding the normal cells. Opportune colposcopy and eventual biopsy for diagnostic assessment.

Atrophy: condition that can be found typically on the cervix and the vaginal walls in postmenopause: because of the hormonal deficiency the superficial epithelial layers are thinner and fragile, and the superficial vessels bleed easely.

Atypical vessels: the appearance of this colposcopic pattern may indicate the first sign of invasion. The atypical vessel patterns are varied and may take the form of hairpins, corkscrews, waste thread, commas, tadpole and other bizarre, irregular branching patterns with irregular calibre.

Ayre's spatula: device fo collecting cell of the uterine cervix (Pap-smear).

Bethesda system: system currently used for the cytological classification of the Pap-test; it takes the name from National Cancer Institute of Bethesda (U.S.A.). 

Biopsy: Removal (guided from the colposcopy) of a sample of tissue, which is then examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Cervicitis: an irritation of the cervix by a number of different organisms. Cervicitis is generally classified as either acute or chronic.

C.I.N. (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ): see Dysplasia.

C.I.S. (Carcinoma in situ): the earliest stage of a cancer; also referred to as "noninvasive cancer" or "intraepithelial neoplasia". In situ carcinomas are highly curable.

Cytobrush: device with shape of small brush that comes used to execute the withdrawal of cells from the inside of the cervical channel.

Colpitis: Inflammation of the vagina (by colpscopic evaluation).

Colposcopy: an examination of the cervix (lower part of the uterus) and the wall of the vagina. It is performed using a special microscope (colposcope) that gives a magnified view of the tissue lining the cervix and vagina. A special solution may be applied to the cervix that causes abnormal cells to turn white or yellow so that they may be more easily viewed. Small biopsies may be taken during the test.

Condiloma: italian and spanish word used for define the genital wart caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).  

Conization: surgery to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the uterine cervixl. Conization may be used to diagnose or treat a cervical condition. Also called cone biopsy.

Crypt opening tickened: colposopic pattern usually associated to CIN high grade.

Dysplasia: condition in which cells in the cervix have undergone precancerous changes. It is detected by a Pap smear; treatment can prevent it from progressing to cervical cancer. The cervical dysplasia is also called CIN (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia) 

DTC (Diatermocoagulation or Electrocoagulation): use of diathermy to destroy, coagulate or divide certain organic tissues.

Ectopia: congenital displacement or malposition of any organ or body part or tissue. On the uterine cervix ectopia is the presence  of the columnar epithelium of the endocervix on to the ectocervix. 

Ectropion: the growth of the columnar epithelium of the endocervix on to the ectocervix, usually after the vaginal delivery. 

Endocervix: the inner part of the uterine cervix, on the cervical channel.

Epithelium white: colposcopic pattern. Is appear after application of acetic acid. Is an acetowhite area and is the most important of all colposcopic signs, and is the hallmark of colposcopic diagnosis of cervical neoplasia. The degree to which the epithelium takes up the acetic acid stain is correlated with the colour tone or intensity, the surface shine, and the duration of the effect, and, in turn, with the degree of neoplastic change in the lesion. Higher-grade lesions are more likely to turn dense white rapidly.

Glandular columnar epithelium: Epithelium of endocervix: epithelium made up of glandular or secreting cells.

Squamous stratified epithelium: Epithelium of esocervix: the squamous epithelium is epithelium consisting of one or more cell layers, the most superficial of which is composed of flat, scalelike or platelike cells .

Esocervix: the part of the uterine cervix visible within the vagina.

Hinselmann: German gynecologist whom  has devised the Colposcopy in 1925.

H.P.V. (Human Papilloma Virus):family of viruses that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, genital warts) and other changes to cells. Infection with certain types of HPV may increase the risk of developing the cervical cancer.’ uomo e considerato responsabile dei condilomi (virus dei condilomi. Può essere associato alle displasie.

Koilocyte: a squamous cell, often binucleate and having a perinuclear hole, characteristic of genital warts, usually by effect of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).

Laser: Acronym: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A medical instrument that produces a powerful beam of light and can produce intense heat when focused at close range. Lasers are often used in surgery to vaporize tissue (cervix, vagina, vulva).

LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure): procedure for treating cervical dysplasia in which a fine wire loop and low-energy current are used to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix.

Leukoplakia: is a white, well-demarcated area on the cervix that may be apparent to the unaided eye, before the application of acetic acid. Often it is useful to execute biopsy on zone of leukoplakia, in order to exclude a dysplasia. 

Lugol: Lugol's iodine, also known as Lugol's solution, used in Colposcopy. 

Metaplasia: the process whereby one tissue type is replaced by another, ie, cervical metaplasia, where glandular epithelium becomes squamous epithelium.

Microcolpohisteroscopy: the direct visualization of the endocervical zone with an endoscopic instrument (microcolpohysteroscope), after putting in some kind of colouring (lugol, methylene blue, waterman blue or toluidine blue).

Mosaic: colposcopic pattern; may be associated to CIN (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia). 

Nabothian cyst : a retention cyst that develops when a mucous gland of the uterine cervix is obstructed. They do not have pathological meaning frankly.

Papanicolaou:Georgios N. Papanikolaou is a pioneer in cytology and early cancer detection by cytologic study of exfoliated cells from the cervix (Pap-test or Pap-smear).

Pap-test (Pap-smear): a method of examining stained cells in a cervical smear for prevention and early diagnosis of uterine cancer. It takes the name from Papanicolaou. 

Punctation: this is term is used to describe the stippled appearance of capillary vessels at an abnormal squamocolumnar junction (transformation zone). This appearance is enhanced by the application of acetic acid. Punctation is suggestive of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia.

Screening: a test done on people at risk of developing a certain disease, even if they have no symptoms. Screening tests can predict the likelihood of someone having or developing a particular disease. Pap-smear is an examen for the screening of cervical cancer.

Shiller test: a test in which iodine is applied to the cervix. The iodine colors healthy cells brown; abnormal cells remain unstained, usually appearing white or yellow.

S.I.L. (Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion): a general term for the abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of the cervix. The changes in the cells are described as low grade or high grade, depending on how much of the cervix is affected and how abnormal the cells appear.

Squamocolumnar junction: The squamocolumnar junction is the border between the squamous epithelium of the eoocervix and the columnar epithelium of the endocervix.

Speculum: a metal or plastic instrument used to open the vagina slightly wider so that the cervix can be seen more easily.

Transformation zone: The transformation zone is a dynamic area, usually located on the ectocervix. The transformation zone, by definition, is the area between the original squamocolumnar junction and the current squamocolumnar junction. The transformation zone is that portion of the cervix that originally was columnar epithelium and now is squamous epithelium.

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