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Alternative names Return to top
Sex chromatin testDefinition Return to top
A buccal smear is a painless test in which cells are taken from the tongue and evaluated for the presence of Barr bodies (a type of mass seen in normal female sex chromosomes).How the test is performed Return to top
Cells are collected by scraping the tongue with a spatula. The cells are then placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory for evaluation.How to prepare for the test Return to top
No preparation is necessary for this test.How the test will feel Return to top
You will feel a scraping sensation as cells are removed from the tongue.Why the test is performed Return to top
In the past, this test was used to indicate:Today, a health care provider who suspects any of these abnormalities is most likely to perform a full chromosome analysis (called karyotyping) rather than a buccal smear.
The buccal smear is primarily used in the Olympic Games or other sporting events if the authorities believe a man is trying to compete as a woman.
Normal Values Return to top
The normal result for a female is an indication of the presence of Barr bodies, confirming the gender as female.What abnormal results mean Return to top
If no Barr bodies appear, the test subject is a male.What the risks are Return to top
There are no risks associated with the buccal smear. Update Date: 1/31/2003 Updated by: Douglas R. Stewart, M.D., Division of Medical Genetics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |