cytofologii

Cytofologia, commonly referred to as cytology in English, is the branch of biology and medicine that studies cells, their structure, function, and chemistry. The term comes from Greek kytos meaning “cell” and logia meaning “study.” In many languages cytofologia is used interchangeably with cytology, though some contexts distinguish the study of cells in body fluids and smears from tissue architecture examined in histology.

Scope and methods include examination of cellular morphology, organelles, membranes, and the cytoskeleton, as well as processes such as cell division and metabolism. Cytology relies on microscopic techniques—light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy—along with staining methods (for example, Romanowsky-type stains, Papanicolaou, and Giemsa) to visualize cells. Modern cytology often incorporates immunocytochemistry, molecular approaches, and cytogenetic analyses. Specimens are typically prepared from exfoliated cells in body fluids, fine-needle aspiration materials, tissue imprints, and automated cytology slides.

Applications span medical diagnostics, research, and forensics. Clinically, cytology is used for cancer screening and diagnosis (notably the Pap test for cervical cancer) and for evaluating masses or lesions via fine-needle aspiration cytology. It also aids in identifying infections, inflammatory conditions, and other diseases. In research, cytology provides foundational insights into cell biology, while forensic cytology supports the identification of biological material in investigations.

Cytology is distinct from histology, which analyzes tissues in their architectural context. The related field of cytopathology focuses on interpreting cytology specimens for clinical decision-making.