Final answer:
Cytology of cervical cells can identify normal cells, HPV-infected cells such as koilocytes with enlarged and darkly stained nuclei, and cancerous cells with disorganized cell architecture. A Pap smear is the initial screening method and further testing includes a biopsy and medical imaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
Classifications of Cervical Cells by Cytology
The cytological examination of cervical cells, commonly achieved through a Pap smear, can reveal various classifications based on cell architecture and anomalies due to disease processes. Normal cervical cells are characterized by a high degree of organization, which is visibly disrupted in the presence of cervical cancer or precancerous conditions. Infections such as those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) can also be identified cytologically, typically displaying larger cells with abnormal nuclei, including koilocytes, which are cells with enlarged nuclei and hyperchromasia (darkly stained nuclei). Additionally, a cytological analysis may show the irregular arrangement of cancerous cells as compared to normal tissue. When a Pap smear indicates potentially cancerous or precancerous cells, it often results in further diagnosis, including a biopsy and medical imaging like CT scans or MRIs.