A buccal  (pronounced "buckle") smear is the painless removal of a sample of cells from the inside of your mouth (cheek) for study.

Sex chromatin test

The health care provider will gently scrape the inside of the cheek with a small spatula to collect cells for testing. Sometimes, you can do this yourself.

Rinse and wash the mouth as instructed.

You will feel a scraping sensation as cells are removed from the cheek.

This test is done to get cells for chromosome or DNA analysis, most often for genetic testing.

The International Olympic Committee adopted the test many years ago to help detect male imposters among female athletes. When the test is used in this way, it's called the sex chromatin test.

This test may also help establish the sexual identity of newborns.

There are no risks.