Cytology is the branch of science which deals with the study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry.Oral cytology is becoming increasingly important in the early diagnosis of oral cancers, as a procedure for obtaining cell samples that can then be analyzed by sophisticated diagnostic techniques such as cytomorphometry, DNA cytometry, and molecular analyses. The cytological study of oral cavity cells is simple and rapid, non-aggressive and relatively painless: it is thus well accepted by patients and suitable for routine application in population screening programmes, for early analysis of suspect lesions, and for pre-and posttreatment monitoring of confirmed malignant lesions. Herein, we have briefly discussed the role oral cytology as in diagnostic oral pathology.