Buccal smear

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Buccal smear

Throat anatomy

A buccal smear (pronounced "buckle") is the painless removal of a sample of cells from the lining of the mouth (inside of the cheek) for study.

Sex chromatin test

The health care provider will gently scrape the inside of the cheek with a small spatula to collect cells for testing.

Rinse and wash the mouth as instructed.

You will feel a scraping sensation as cells are removed from the cheek.

The procedure is used to obtain cells for chromosome and DNA analysis,most often for genetic testing. The International Olympic Committee adopted the test many years ago to help detect male imposters among female athletes. When the test is used in this way, it's called the sex chromatin test. This method may also help establish the sexual identity of newborns.

Review Date: 12/15/2010
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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