[pap] 
| 1. | a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cervical cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear (Pap smear or pap smear) for examination of exfoliated cells. |
| 2. | a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels. |
| 3. | an examination of exfoliated cells in any body fluid, as sputum or urine, for cancer cells. |
| Pa·pa·ni·co·laou test (pä'pə-nē'kə-lou', pāp'ə-nĭk'ə-lou') n. The Pap smear. |
Papanicolaou test n.
The Pap smear.
Pap test n.
A test for cancer, especially of the female genital tract, in which a smear of cells exfoliated or scraped from a mucosal surface is stained with Papanicolaou stain and examined under a microscope for pathological changes. Also called smear test.