Aims: This study set out to photograph and describe the gross appearances of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology samples of commonly encountered lesions.

Methods: During a 2 year period, a cytopathologist photographed the gross appearances of near patient FNA samples, concentrating on commonly encountered lesions.

Results: The gross appearances are described, accompanied by photographic illustrations.

Conclusions: This paper describes and illustrates the gross appearances of FNA cytology samples of some commonly encountered lesions.