On completion of this section the cytotechnologist should know:

• The morphological differences between benign and malignant cells
• The basic histological criteria for diagnosing CIN 1, CIN 2, CIN3
• The cytological characteristics of squamous epithelial cells shared from a focus of CIN 1(LSIL), CIN 2(HSIL), CIN 3(HSIL)
• The histological and cytological presentation of keratinising and non keratinising squamous carcinoma
• The definition of ASCUS and the criteria for recognising atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in cervical smears