The authors analysed retrospectively 476 histologic and cytologic preparations made from the biopsy specimens of neuroectodermal CNS tumours. The identity of histologic and cytologic diagnoses was determined in 89.5% of cases. Cytologic diagnostic criteria for tumours with different histogenesis, such as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, glioblastomas, medulloblastomas, are presented. Anaplasia features of these tumours are identified according to IV degrees of malignancy.