Objective: The study was undertaken to provide further understanding of the phenomenon of "acetowhite epithelium".
Methods: Solutions of acetic and similar acids were applied to the atypical transformation zone to demonstrate (or not) acetowhite epithelium.
Results: Acetowhite epithelium is not unique to acetic acid, but can be mimicked by other water soluble carboxylic acids.
Conclusions: Acetowhite epithelium is probably due to the reflection of light from the superficial layers of epithelium when they become opaque following the rapid penetration of these non-coagulant fixatives and their effect on nucleoprotein.