Pap smear

Alternative names:

Papanicolaou test

Definition:

A microscopic examination of cells scraped from the cervix.

How the test is performed:

You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet in the stirrups. A pelvic examination will be done, and a speculum (an instrument used to dilate the body passage in order to examine the interior) will be inserted into your vagina and opened slightly. A sample of cells from the outside and the canal of the cervix is taken by gently scraping the outside of the cervix with a wooden or plastic spatula, then inserting a small brush that looks like a pipe cleaner into the canal. The cells are placed on a glass slide and sprayed with a fixative, or put in a bottle containing a preservative, then sent to the lab for examination.

How to prepare for the test:

The health care provider should be notified of a prior abnormal Pap smear, if you might be pregnant, and you are taking any medications or birth control pills. You should avoid douching, using tampons, having intercourse, and tub bathing 24-hours before the test. Empty your bladder just before the test.

How the test will feel:

There may be some discomfort and a feeling of pressure during the procedure. A small amount of bleeding may occur after the test.

Why the test is performed:

The Pap smear can detect cancerous or precancerous conditions of the cervix.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial