title: Scanning electron microscopy of cotton swab smears from ectocervix. A methodological study.
abstract: A method for scanning electron microscopic examination of exfoliated ectocervical cells smeared with a cotton swab is described. It is concluded that this technique has advantages over techniques in which cell samples are collected from the portio by washing, scraping, or adherence to membranes.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002582:Cervix Mucus; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011247:Pregnancy; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*