Final answer:
Cervical dysplasia refers to early changes in the size, shape, and number of cervical cells, detected through a Pap smear and is pre-cancerous.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to early changes in the size, shape, and number of cells on the surface of the cervix is cervical dysplasia. This condition is pre-cancerous, where abnormal cells grow on the cervix, potentially leading to cervical cancer if left untreated. The dysplasia can vary in severity and is usually detected through a Pap smear, where the health care provider observes changes in the cells of the cervix under a microscope.