What is a critical factor that can distort cellular morphology in cytology?

The critical factor that can distort cellular morphology in cytology is exposure to air before staining. When cellular specimens are exposed to air, they undergo various changes that can compromise their structural integrity and overall morphology. This exposure can lead to desiccation, which creates artifacts and artifact-like features that do not accurately represent the original cellular characteristics. These alterations can make it difficult to interpret the sample correctly and can result in misdiagnosis or a misunderstanding of the cellular features.

In contrast, the duration in the fixative solution can also affect cellular morphology, but typically, proper fixation is intended to preserve the cells. Temperature of staining and waiting time before coverslipping may influence results to varying degrees, but they are less critical compared to the exposure to air, which is more immediately impactful on cellular morphology. Proper handling and minimizing exposure to air are essential to maintaining the quality of cytological samples.