Branch of microbiology
Microbial cytology is the study of microscopic and submicroscopic details of microorganisms.
Origin of Microbial 1880-85; < Greek mīkro- micro- small + bíos life). Cytology 1857; < Cyto-is derived from the Greek kytos meaning hollow, as a cell or container. + -logy meaning the study of).
Microbial cytology is analyzed under a microscope for cells which were collected from a part of the body.
The main purpose of microbial cytology is to see the structure of the cells, and how they form and operate.
Vaginal cytology is a microscopic examination of cells from the vaginal epithelium.
In veterinary medicine, it helps differentiate the stages of the mammalian estrous cycle because the vaginal epithelium changes in response to sex hormone levels; practically, it is used to distinguish when a female canine is at a particular point in the estrous cycle.
In a normal vaginal smear, lactational cells, navicular cells, endocervical cells, endometrial cells, trophoblastic cells, and leucocytes may be present.