Pathology · Reproductive System · Hard
Koilocyte
Meaning: Squamous cell with a clear halo around a wrinkled nucleus, characteristic of human papillomavirus infection.
In practice: Koilocytes on the cervical sample indicated infection with human papillomavirus.
Word parts
- -cyte means a cell
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related pathology words.
Which word means: Inflammation where a tendon or ligament attaches to bone.
Answer: Enthesitis
Which word means: Slow-growing neuroendocrine tumour, often in the gut, that can secrete serotonin.
Answer: Carcinoid
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