The cells collected from the transformation zone of the uterine cervix and transferred onto a glass slide make a cervical smear.
Every smear is looked at at least twice before it is reported.
Smear reports are sent to the patient's GP or a smear taker and GP if they are not the same person. Their cytoplasm shows signs of keratinisation. Intermediate cells are similar in size, with central nuclei, which are larger than in superficial cells and have smooth chromatin pattern. Parabasal cells are smaller cells with centrally positioned nuclei and smooth chromatin. Basal cells often show as bare nuclei with no cytoplasm.