Basicmedical Key

Fig. 6.1 Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. These parenchymal-rich, stroma-poor tumors produce cellular smears composed of a uniform population of mostly dyscohesive epithelial cells thus yielding a “solid-cellular” smear pattern. This contrasts…

Fig. 7.1 In cases designated as suspicious for malignancy, the nuclei have irregular nuclear membranes with folds and creases. (Direct smear, Papanicolaou) Fig. 7.2 Cells from specimens designated as ­suspicious…

Fig. 3.1 Benign acinar epithelium. Tightly cohesive grape-like clusters of cells in small acinar structures attached with central mesenchymal tissue highlights the benign architecture of the specimen. (Direct smear, Papanicolaou)…

Fig. 8.1 Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Cohesive, medium-sized cells with a relatively low nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, mild anisonucleosis, mucinous cytoplasm, and parachromatin clearing are arranged in an uneven, “drunken honeycomb” pattern….

Fig. 4.1 Loss of polarity in the cellular arrangement can mimic a “drunken honeycomb”. The smooth nuclear membranes, lack of anisonucleosis and even chromatin pattern do not support a malignant…

Fig. 2.1 Nondiagnostic. Tissue is uninterpretable due to obscuring blood clot. Tissue casts and clots expressed onto glass slides should be picked up off the glass slide with the needle…

Fig. 5.1 Serous cystadenoma. The delicate cells lining the fibrous septae are destroyed by the smearing process leaving behind acellular fibrous tissue fragments in a bloody background and leading to…