The Bethesda Pap Smear system and its 1991 revisions aim to simplify Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reporting and make it more reproducible. It redefines the Pap smear request as a medical consultation. The pathologist consultant is required not only to provide the smear reading but also its clinical recommendation. The Bethesda system insists on a detailed Pap smear report assessing specimen adequacy and types of epithelial changes. Squamous cell abnormalities are grouped according to their biologic potential. Both cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grade I (CIN I) (mild dysplasia) and human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions are grouped together as low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL), while moderate and severe dysplasia (CIN II and III) belong to the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) category. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGCUS) need further qualification as to whether they favor either a reactive or neoplastic process. Guidelines for management of abnormal Pap smears are discussed in detail.