Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an improved method for taking a cervical smear. Instead of scanning cells directly onto a glass slide (as in a traditional PAP smear), cells are collected from the cervix and transferred to a special storage container containing a fixative solution. In the laboratory, the cells are filtered from the solution and deposited in a single thin layer onto the slide. This technique reduces the presence of blood, mucus, and other staining agents, providing a cleaner and more representative sample of cervical epithelial cells and increasing the accuracy of microscopic examination.