Papanicolaou stain

The Papanicolaou stain (pronounced pah-pah-nik-oh-lau), also known as the Pap stain, is a method of staining used in cytology to examine cells from various bodily secretions. The technique is named after its inventor, George Papanicolaou, a Greek physician and cytologist.

Etymology

The term "Papanicolaou stain" is derived from the name of its inventor, Dr. George Papanicolaou. He developed the technique in the early 20th century as a way to detect cervical cancer in its early stages.

Method

The Papanicolaou stain involves a complex multichromatic staining process that uses multiple dyes to bring out the details in cells. The process includes the use of hematoxylin, Orange G, EA-50, and OG-6 stains. The resulting stained specimen allows for the detailed examination of the cells, including their size, shape, and any abnormalities.

Usage

The primary use of the Papanicolaou stain is in the Pap smear test, a screening procedure for cervical cancer. It is also used in other types of cytological studies, such as sputum cytology, urine cytology, and pleural fluid cytology.

Related Terms

Cytology: The study of cells, including their function, origin, structure, and disease.
Pap smear: A screening procedure that uses the Papanicolaou stain to detect precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix.
Hematoxylin: A staining agent used in histology and cytology.
Orange G: A synthetic dye used in the Papanicolaou stain.
EA-50: A mixture of dyes used in the Papanicolaou stain.
OG-6: A dye used in the Papanicolaou stain.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Papanicolaou stain
Wikipedia's article - Papanicolaou stain

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Papanicolaou stain