A squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) is a term that refers to abnormal growth of epithelial

Epithelium

Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...

 cells on the surface of the cervix, commonly called squamous cells

Squamous epithelium

In anatomy, squamous epithelium is an epithelium characterised by its most superficial layer consisting of flat, scale-like cells called squamous epithelial cells...

. This condition can lead to cervical cancer, but can be diagnosed using a Pap smear or a colposcopy

Colposcopy

Colposcopy is a medical diagnostic procedure to examine an illuminated, magnified view of the cervix and the tissues of the vagina and vulva. Many premalignant lesions and malignant lesions in these areas have discernible characteristics which can be detected through the examination...

. It can be treated by using methods that remove the abnormal cells, allowing normal cells to grow in their place.

See also

• Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion
• High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion