Papanicolaou (Pap) test /pap′ənik′əlou″/ [George N. Papanicolaou, Greek physician in U.S. practice, 1883–1962] , a simple smear method of examining stained exfoliative cells. It is used most commonly to detect cancers of the cervix, but it may be used for tissue specimens from any organ. A smear, the Papanicolaou’s (Pap) smear, is usually obtained during a routine pelvic examination annually beginning at 18 years of age. The technique permits early diagnosis of cancer and has contributed to a lower death rate from cervical cancer. The findings are usually reported descriptively. Also called Pap smear, Pap test.
