What does squamous epithelium mean in large quantities in a smear? What is epithelium? Preparing for a smear test for squamous epithelium

All glands and mucous membranes in various organs a person is covered by the epidermis lining the surface, consisting of various types cells.

IN individual bodies it is classified different types– squamous (flat) or other various structural types of various configurations characteristic of certain organs body. Detection squamous epithelium in urine, in standard general laboratory research Urine is a very common occurrence.

Human urine, passing along its route, washes many vessels and organs included in the urinary system. And the discovery of one epithelial cell type, or several, during its examination helps the doctor to specify the pathological processes.

After all, it is the type of epithelial cells found in the urine sediment that determines what further direction in the diagnosis the doctor will determine.

Squamous epithelial cells cover the surfaces of all serous membranes internal organs. Its cells make up certain parts of the nephron renal tubules and small excretory ducts iron As urine passes through the urethral system, individual coating particles or entire layers are washed out or exfoliated, which are deposited in the urine sediment.

Reasons for the appearance of squamous epithelium in urine

An interesting fact is that the slight presence of cellular squamous epithelium in female and male urine has a different interpretation of the results. In female urine this indicator is quite normal phenomenon, and in men it is a sure indicator of problems with the urinary system.

Normal squamous epithelium in urine in women and men

Studies of urine sometimes show the presence of various cell types epithelial covering (transitional, renal or flat). This is facilitated by features epithelial cells in various organs, which makes it possible to determine one or another diagnosis.

When studying urine, both the species classification of epithelial cells and their quantitative ratio. Preliminary diagnosis is based precisely on the species of the cell sediment and its quantity.

When a doctor deciphers urine tests, certain standard indicators. Small changes in parameters are acceptable, but healthy person, the parameters must meet certain standards.

Normal epithelium in urine:

in children 0-1/ Negative;
in men 0-1-2-3-4-5 in the field of view.
in women 0-1-2 in the field of view.

Their going beyond the established standards means the development of negative pathologies in the body. Control data (comparative) of a certain analysis help the doctor assess the rate of development of the pathological process and select appropriate timely treatment.

The normal level of squamous epithelium in the urine of men is considered to be from three to five cells located in the visible area of the examined area under a microscope.
Normally, in women, squamous cells in urine should not be present at all, or present in a single manifestation. If a certain amount is exceeded, a control test is prescribed to exclude the factor of incorrect urine collection for research.

Why is there increased squamous epithelium in the urine of women?

Quantitative regulatory excess squamous epithelium in female urine usually characterizes pathologies in the urethral system. But, since the squamous appearance of the epithelial coating is the vaginal lining, its appearance in the urine sediment is not associated with urological problems at all, but is due to desquamation during the collection of material for analysis. Or it can enter the urine from the urethral canal, or Bladder.

Thanks to special anatomical structure urethral and reproductive systems, women are subject to an increased tendency to develop pathologies in the mucous membrane tissue structures kidneys and the development of inflammatory reactions in the inner wall structure of the bladder.

The processes of inflammatory reactions cause intense exfoliation of the cellular lining of the mucous membrane, which explains the presence of a large number of flat epithelial cells in urine.

Even before such signs are detected in urine, the following are noted:

decreased urination;
its cloudiness and specific smell;
soreness in lower area belly;
frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by pain;
the presence of small inclusions of blood clots in the urine.

Such signs may be the result of sexually transmitted infections, or which, if desired, can be quickly cured. Or the reason may lie in long term mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, as a result of which the accumulation of “A” immunoglobulin occurs in the kidneys. This causes inflammatory reactions in the kidney tissues and functional disorders in the organ.

The disease is characterized by a slow course and may not manifest itself for years, since no signs are observed at the beginning of development. It is detected only after squamous cell inclusions, red blood cells and protein compounds are detected in the analysis. This pathology is characterized by:

foamy and dark urine;
swelling of the limbs;
arterial hypertension;
pain syndrome in the renal area.

Long-term treatment with analgesics - Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin - also leads to an increase in cellular squamous epithelium in female urine.

The consequences of such treatment are the development of oliguria (quantitative decrease in urination), pain in the renal area, and signs of intoxication.

Reasons for increased squamous epithelium in pregnant women

It is the state of pregnancy of women that causes an increased titer of squamous epithelium in the urine, which is quite typical and does not cause much concern.

During this period, the urine excretion system works in an enhanced mode, women are characterized by frequent urination, promoting desquamation of the epithelial cover.

In addition to everything, during pregnancy, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the urethral organs, as a result of which their anatomical position, therefore, cellular normative indicators in analyzes may differ slightly from the standard.

The excess of the norms for the presence of squamous epithelium in the analyzes is cause for concern, since this is a sure sign of the development of urethritis.

Inflammatory reactions can spread very quickly, and appropriate measures must be taken in urgently to protect the fetus.

The permissible level of sediment in the urine of pregnant women should not exceed 5 cells in the visible area. In such situations, the patient should be under the full supervision of a doctor. Early diagnosis will help eliminate the cause with minimal “losses”.

Epithelial cells are found in urine tests even in infants, this can be explained by new living conditions when a child needs to adapt to them, which is considered a completely acceptable phenomenon.

As the child grows, the standard indicators change completely; they should not exceed one to three units of cellular presence in a urine test. Quantitative excess means the same reasons that are typical for adults - infections and inflammation in the urinary system.

To avoid misdiagnosis, urine collection for research must be carried out in compliance with all hygienic rules and sterilization of the container for the material.

A sharp increase in squamous epithelium in a child’s urine indicates undesirable changes in his fragile body:

Development of inflammatory processes in urinary system, urethritis or cystitis.
Inflammatory reactions in the genitals.
Renal pathologies and exacerbations congenital diseases kidney
About blood circulation disorders in the excretory system.
Urolithiasis and increased secretion urine salt formations.
About possible neurological pathologies, causing urine retention in the bladder.
ABOUT reverse stroke urine (reflux).
Spasm of the urinary system and salt deposits as a result of long-term pharmacotherapy.
About purulent processes, poisoning and other intoxication processes.

What needs to be done? - treatment and medications

At the first signs of urinary discomfort, you should immediately visit a doctor and take a necessary tests, collected according to all the rules to avoid repetition of the procedure and errors in diagnosis. Treatment methods will depend on the results of the analysis, urinary sediment indicators.

If urethritis is detected, a course of antibiotic therapy is administered with Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Cefazolin or Ceftriaxone.

Immunostimulant drugs and vitamin therapy are prescribed. Throughout the entire course of treatment (up to 10 days), a gentle diet is recommended, excluding spicy and fried foods, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding drinks containing alcohol.

Chronic urethritis is treated antiseptic drugs introduced into the urethral canal by drip. Duration treatment course is determined depending on the severity of the process and is prescribed individually.

Inflammatory reactions in the bladder are stopped by antibiotic therapy - Levoflaxocin, Furadonin, Ofloxacin, Bactrim. Nonsteroidal painkillers are added - drugs of the class “Canephron”, “Fitolysin”, “Cyston”, or their analogues.

If the cause of the pathology is renal nephropathy, you should urgently eliminate the medications you are taking. medicines, which may be involved in the manifestation of such pathology.

Treatment is carried out using hormone therapy– “Triamcinolone”, “Prednisolone”, etc. according to an individual treatment regimen. Independent selection of drugs and self-medication will only complicate the situation.

It should be remembered - effective treatment and the absence of complications is possible only with early diagnosis.

It is a mandatory procedure that allows you to evaluate general state organism and identify possible diseases and abnormalities in the urinary system. Various cells may be present in the urine: leukocytes, erythrocytes, etc. Epithelium in the urine causes the development inflammatory diseases genitourinary system.

Epithelial cells are in most cases always present in the urinary sediment. The epithelium lines the mucous membrane of the genitourinary, respiratory and digestive systems, covers the skin surface and glands.

There are several types of it:

Flat epithelium. These cells round shape, large sizes. By appearance colorless, have a core. Present in urine in single copies or in layers.In men this type epithelium enters the urine from the lower part urethra. In female urine, cells are always noted and can come from the urethra. When the amount of squamous epithelium increases, it is diagnosed infectious processes urinary tract.
Transitional epithelium. Cells come in different sizes and shapes: cylindrical, round, polygonal. May have one or more cores. They have a yellowish tint. Transitional epithelium covers the ureters, pelvis and upper parts of the urethra. If epithelial cells of a given type are elevated, this is observed when the following diseases: cystitis, urolithiasis. The presence of transitional epithelium in the urine may indicate stones.
Renal epithelium. When these cells are detected, pathology is diagnosed. The presence of epithelium may indicate pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, infectious diseases, etc. In the presence of renal epithelium, an increase in body temperature is almost always observed.

The direction of diagnosis depends on which of these cells are present in the urine.

Diagnostics

To identify squamous epithelial cells, the patient must provide urine. It is collected in sterile containers. You can buy a special jar at the pharmacy, or if you have a container of about 100 ml at home, you need to wash it well and then pour boiling water over it.

Before collecting urine, a woman should conduct hygiene procedures and wash up.It is important to remember that you only need to collect an average portion of urine. It is more informative.

A morphological examination of urine sediment is performed in the laboratory:

Urine (10-12 ml) is added to the test tube.
Then, after centrifugation, the liquid is drained after 15-20 minutes, and the sediment is left for further examination under a microscope.
The sediment is stirred and a drop is added to a glass slide, where the contents are examined under the eyepiece. shaped elements in sight.
After that, data on the number of epithelial cells “large”, “insignificant”, “moderate” is entered.

For the indicators fall within certain limits. An increase in the indicator indicates. The preliminary diagnosis that a doctor can make after receiving the results is.

Regular monitoring helps assess the degree of progression of the disease and take timely measures.

Normally, both men and women should not have epithelial cells in their urine. No more than 3-4 units are allowed. This is due to the exfoliation of cells from the mucous membrane of the urinary tract. As a result, they end up in the urine and are washed out of the body.

In newborns and children in the first weeks of life, the normal indicator is 0-10.

An increase in the indicator may not be the cause of any pathology. A slight excess of the norm is the result of improper urine collection (the first portion instead of the middle one) or poor hygiene before the procedure.

Increased epithelial cells in women

An increase in the number of squamous epithelial cells in the urine is a sign of urinary tract disease

An increase in epithelial cells in the urine can occur even in the absence of urological problems. Squamous epithelium lines the vagina and can become trapped when urine is collected. However, a small amount enters the urethra from the bladder and urethra.A very high content of epithelium in the urine may indicate the development of cystitis and nephropathy.

Cystitis most often occurs in women. This is due physiological structure genitourinary organs. The content of epithelium in the urine during inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder significantly exceeds the norm, so the cells begin to exfoliate more intensively.

Even before epithelium is detected in the urine, a woman may experience the following symptoms:

Painful urination
Presence of small blood clots in urine
Lower abdominal pain

Typically, a woman produces a small amount of urine that is cloudy in color and unpleasant smell. These signs may indicate other disorders: thrush, urethritis, etc.In some cases, the disease may go away on its own, and symptoms decrease. At the same time, the number of epithelial cells returns to normal.

Berger's disease (lg-A nephropathy) – pathological disorder, in which immunoglobulin A accumulates in the kidneys.

As a result, this can lead to an inflammatory process, which disrupts functions.The disease progresses slowly and may not make itself felt long years. It is not possible to cure the pathology, but there are medications that help slow down the development.On initial stages no symptoms are detected. The disease is detected only after the delivery and identification of epithelial cells.

More information about urine analysis can be found in the video:

This pathology can lead to serious violations in kidney function. In the final stages of the disease, the patient may exhibit the following symptoms:

Urine that is dark and foamy
Swelling of the arms and legs
Pain in the right or left side from the back

If nephropathy is suspected, prescribe additional examination:, and a kidney biopsy.There is also analgesic nephropathy, which is caused by the use of analgesics: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc. The risk of development is noted in people who use such drugs for a long time to eliminate painful sensations at .Against this background, the patient may experience a decrease in the amount of urination, pain in the sides, nausea, vomiting, etc.

Epithelial cells in men

Epithelial cells are rarely found in the urine of men. However, if these cells are present in urine at large quantities, then this may indicate possible pathologies urinary system:

Urethritis
Cystitis
Pyelonephritis
Glomerulonephritis
Stones in the kidneys

Most often, against the background of an increase in the content of squamous epithelial cells in men, urethritis is detected. This is an inflammation of the urethra - the urethra. In this case, the man complains about painful urination. Foreskin becomes swollen and red, pain in the penis is observed.

It is important to consult a urologist in a timely manner, otherwise purulent discharge may appear.

Very often, urethritis is confused with prostatitis due to similar symptoms. An increase in the content of epithelium in the urine can cause prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland. Untreated urethritis most often develops into prostatitis with further complications.

Treatment method

At the first sign of burning and pain during urination, you should consult a doctor. Qualified specialist will order an examination and, based on the results of the analysis, prescribe treatment:

If the presence of epithelial cells is due to the development of urethritis, then antibiotic therapy is carried out: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone, etc. In addition to antibiotics, the doctor may prescribe immunostimulants and vitamin complexes. The patient should consume plenty of fluids throughout the course, avoid spicy and fried foods, and alcoholic drinks. The duration of treatment does not exceed 10 days. For chronic urethritis, instillation antiseptics into the urethra. Taking into account the stage of the disease, a course of treatment is prescribed.
For cystitis it is carried out complex treatment. To destroy pathogens, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed: Levofloxacin, Furadonin, Ofloxacin, Bactrim, etc. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are used along with antibiotics. From drugs plant origin may be prescribed: Canephron, Phytolysin, Cyston, etc.
If the content of epithelial cells is caused by nephropathy, then it is necessary to cancel medications, which led to the development of this pathology. Treatment consists of the use of hormones: Triamcinolone, Prednisolone, etc.

It should be remembered that in each case it is assigned individual scheme. It is not recommended to use medications on your own, as they can worsen the course of the disease.

Epithelium in a smear can be detected when cytological examination cervix. To do this, you need to visit a gynecologist. Preventive examination is held 2 times a year. If pain or discharge with an odor occurs, it is recommended to immediately seek medical help. A smear for cytology must be taken if there is a weak immune system and with active sexual life.

The vagina and cervix are lined with squamous epithelium. To identify the epithelium in the smear and obtain accurate results, the patient must properly prepare for collecting the material. The smear is taken on day 5 menstrual cycle. 24 hours before the test you need to abstain from sex, vaginal products, douching. Otherwise, the amount of flat and columnar epithelium in the material will be below normal.

The sample is collected with a special spatula. Cells are taken from the place where the squamous and columnar epithelium meets. The sample is then spread on the glass. The transitional epithelium must be collected correctly, since the malignant process begins to develop from below, gradually progressing to the surface. If the sample gets upper layer, then the last stage of cancer can be diagnosed.

If there are squamous epithelial cells in the sample, this is considered normal. Its absence or insufficient quantity is associated with atrophy. The squamous epithelium in the smear consists of 3 layers. Its composition depends on the phase menstrual period. In women, the norm of epithelial cells in a smear is 3-15 units. in sight. In men, this indicator should be within 5-10 cells. Its increased concentration indicates the presence acute inflammation or infections. If the result of the study shows the presence of altered cells, then dysplasia has developed in the woman’s body.

To identify disturbances in the keratinization of squamous epithelium in a smear, a specialist examines clusters anucleate cells. The cervical canal contains cylindrical mucus-producing epithelium with secretory function. In a normal smear, a slight accumulation of such cells can be detected. With ectopia, displacement of the surface epithelium and its replacement with a flat analogue is observed.

Types of epithelium in the cervix

If the original squamous epithelium is part of the cervix of girls, then such patients suffer from infertility or have problems with the menstrual cycle. In this case, colposcopy is prescribed. If such cells are detected in women aged 25-40 years, then the help of a gastroenterologist will be required.

The colposcope evaluates the effect of hormones on the epithelium of the female reproductive system.

In pregnant women, cells colored in a bluish-red hue are detected. For women childbearing age characterized by epithelium with a pink surface. In this case, the vessels are not visible. There is a boundary between squamous and columnar epithelium. Atypical epithelium can be identified if there is a clear border along the entire contour. Otherwise, the patient will have a Pap smear instead of a colposcopy.

Atrophic squamous epithelium is more often detected in elderly women.

To make an accurate diagnosis, additional examination of the patient is carried out. Treatment is prescribed in each case individually. You cannot self-medicate or use medications traditional medicine without consulting a doctor.

Diagnosis and treatment

The amount of epithelium in a smear in women depends on various factors, including menopause, taking hormones and maintaining personal hygiene. If the level of these cells is below normal, then the patient’s body experiences a hormonal imbalance. A significant concentration of atypical columnar epithelium indicates the development of cancer. A high content of epithelium in the sample is observed in cases of urethritis and infectious diseases. In this case, urgent treatment is carried out.

An increased concentration of squamous epithelium in the smear, pain and other symptoms indicate the development of vaginitis. The vagina may become inflamed due to infection and cessation of the menstrual cycle. Antibiotics are used to treat infectious vaginitis, antifungal drugs and other medicines. If necessary, additional tests and procedures are prescribed. You cannot take medications on your own, correct dosage and the duration of the course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor.

A significant concentration of squamous epithelial cells in a smear in men or women indicates inflammation of the urethra. The causative agents of this disease are considered to be viruses and bacteria (gonococci, chlamydia). Urethritis develops as a result of injury or hypersensitivity to "Spermicide". People who can get this disease more quickly are:

women and men aged 20-35 years;
people who often change sexual partners;
people who prefer unprotected sex (without condoms).

Features of urethritis

When urethritis develops in men, doctors identify the following symptoms:

blood and pain when urinating;
burning;
discomfort;
swelling of the penis;
pain during sexual intercourse.

In women, this disease is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and discharge. At infectious urethritis antibiotics and analgesics are prescribed. The course of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and its form. If atypical cells are detected on the cervix, then urgent therapy is prescribed. For this, doctors use modern techniques, including laser diagnostics, cryotherapy, diathermy. If necessary, complex therapy is prescribed. The cervix and uterus are removed if there is high probability cancer development. The operation is performed in medical institution and requires a long rehabilitation period. In this case, the woman experiences menopause.

Using a cytological examination, it is not always possible to obtain a reliable result indicating the presence of a pathological process. In this case, atrophic wrinkling of the vagina and difficult tissue sampling from the vagina are observed. cervical canal. During the process of taking a smear for cytology, atrophy is difficult to detect differential diagnosis. To identify pathology, doctors use other laboratory tests.

If squamous epithelium is detected in the smear, then we can talk about the presence of a pathological process caused by various reasons. Typically, a trip to the gynecologist is accompanied by a smear test for microflora. The doctor uses it to determine the condition of the vaginal mucosa and possible infection. Correct transcript A smear can only be performed by a doctor who is a specialist in this field.

Types of cells

Flat epithelium is a concept that combines a set of cells from which the mucous layer of many organs is formed, for example the vaginal cavity, cervix, urethra, etc. The tissue performs protective function. Under normal circumstances, each woman should have a certain number of epithelial cells. In their absence or insufficient quantities one can judge about a lack of estrogen or atrophy of epithelial cells.

The squamous epithelium in the smear is represented by three types of cells:

Superficial.
Intermediate.
Basal-parabasal.

Cellular concentration in women will vary depending on the period of the menstrual cycle. In women of reproductive age, epithelial cells are constantly undergoing restructuring and are completely replaced every 4-5 days.

Squamous epithelium is the vaginal mucosa, while columnar epithelial cells provide secretory functionality. Speaking about columnar epithelium, it is worth noting that the cervical canal is lined with it. These cells should normally be located in small clusters, resembling a honeycomb or presented in a stripe. You can find glass-shaped cells, where the stretching of the cytoplasm is explained by the presence of mucus. Less commonly, granules of secretory functionality can be found in cells. Ectopia is physiological process, occurring in the cervix when squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium.

At various stages of the period between menstruation, squamous epithelial cells in the smear may change slightly. Surface epithelial cells can be divided into keratinizing and non-keratinizing. Their ratio changes in different phases, so normal indicators in healthy condition body.

Transitional epithelium in a smear is a fairly normal phenomenon if the indicator is not higher than 15 units. If exceeded normal indicators presence can be judged pathological processes or recent infection. When the cellular structure changes, the presence of neoplasms can be suspected, which, in turn, can be benign or malignant.

Indications for analysis

There are reasons that warrant administration from the vagina or urethra to detect the presence of infection or inflammatory process in the genitourinary system:

The presence of discharge from the vaginal cavity, which causes suspicion and causes discomfort.
Pain syndrome appearing in the lower abdomen.
The appearance of itching and other discomfort in the genitals.
Long-term use of antibiotics.
Before pregnancy.
Medical examinations.

Norm and deviations

The presence of epithelial cells in discharge from the vaginal cavity will be influenced by the following: menstruation, menopause, use of hormone-containing products, etc.

In any case, women permissible quantity epithelial cells are 3-15 units in the visible area. In a smear in men, this indicator ranges from 5-15 cells in the visible area.

If available reduced rate the content of squamous epithelium in a smear can be judged hormonal imbalance which occurred on various reasons, for example, with early menopause. If the concentration of epithelial cells is too high, the development of cancer, for example, cervical cancer. In addition, a large amount of epithelium indicates the possible development of cervicitis, urethritis and other types of infection.

If the process of keratinization of epithelial cells in the smear is disrupted when cytology is performed, then this indicates an accumulation of anucleate tissue cells of the squamous epithelium. When an analysis is carried out to identify the inflammatory process, too active tissue renewal is recorded. It is important to remember that the results of a smear analysis are influenced by hygiene, taking certain medications, etc.

To obtain the most accurate result (what is the composition of the transitional epithelium), a few days before the analysis you should not swim, douche, use spermicidal ointments and other intravaginal contraceptives, or place vaginal suppositories.

In some cases, doctors recommend that you stop having sex at this time. If these rules are not followed, the epithelial cells in the smear may be present in too small a quantity, and the analysis will not show a true picture of the patient’s health.

A correctly executed smear should contain cells of a multilayered flat, cylindrical and glandular epithelium, vaginal flora, mucus, not significant amount neutrophils. The ratio of components and the state of each type of cell allow the doctor to identify early pathology female and male genital tract.

What is epithelium

All tissue and organ surfaces are protected by integumentary epithelial cells. Depending on the function of the fabric, the intensity of the mechanical load on it, the lining has different structure, thickness. The skin that is most exposed external influences, covered with stratified squamous keratinizing epithelium. Multi-layering is inherent in the lining of individual areas of the respiratory, digestive, genitourinary tract. This is due to the proximity to external environment, frequency of contact with microbial agents.

Flat

The external genital tract has heterogeneous coverings. Vagina and outer part The cervix (exocervix) is lined with stratified squamous epithelium. As it matures, the young (basal) layer seems to be pushed out from the membrane, changing its cellular shape and size. The cytogram contains squamous epithelium of the superficial layer - the most mature elements with a small nucleus and abundant cytoplasm. The cylindrical epithelium in a smear in women represents the lining of the internal pharynx, part of the cervical canal.

Glandular

The cervical canal is covered with secretory type epithelial cells (endocervix). They produce mucus, the accumulation of which in the canal creates a kind of plug that protects the uterine cavity from infection. A properly performed smear contains endocervical cells; they make up approximately 10% of the cellular components. But if there is a lot of glandular epithelium, then a consultation with a gynecologist is required to exclude proliferative processes and polyps of the cervical canal.

Cylindrical

The bulk of the smear is squamous epithelial cells. Among them there are small groups of cylindrical lining a narrow transitional section ( internal os) cervix. The absence of such cellular composition may indicate dysfunction in the production of the hormone estrogen, often of a menopausal nature. Occurs in cystic ovarian lesions. Prismatic cells are the same cylindrical ones, but flattened. Appear in smears of elderly patients, are a sign of atrophic, dystrophic processes.

Normal epithelial cells in a smear

The qualitative and quantitative composition of smears taken for cytology depends on two factors. The first is the condition of the patient’s genital tract. The second is the correctness of taking material for the cytological preparation. The glass should contain cells of the vaginal, cervical, and cervical epithelium in women, and cells of squamous and urethral epithelium in men. Only in this case will the doctor be able to properly evaluate the diagnostic material.

Among women

Squamous epithelial cells predominate in a cytology smear, but one field of view should not contain more than twenty units. The presence of several less mature intermediate cells from the middle (granular) layer is considered the norm. About 10% of the cellular composition is cylindrical and glandular components. The flora is represented by rod-shaped and coccal bacteria; the predominance of one or another variety depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The presence of single neutrophils is acceptable.

In men

Normal laboratory analysis in men, it includes cells of the multilayered squamous and urethral type. The lining of the urethra is multi-row, there is no division into layers (as in the cervix). For this reason, the urethral component is represented by the same cellular elements– prismatic transitional type. Urine inclusions (a few salt crystals) may be present. Single cocci are acceptable, no more than five elements of the inflammatory series (neutrophils, leukocytes).

What does a large amount of epithelium in a smear mean?

A normal cytogram in a smear for flora contains 12-20 epithelial cells per field of view. Excessive content of the squamous cell component indicates irritation and accelerated rejection of the integumentary layer. The cause may be inflammatory processes of various etiologies, then the doctor will see a significant number of leukocytes in the drug (normally no more than five). Often the pathogen is detected: Trichomonas, gonococci, viral inclusions.

In the absence of inflammatory elements, one should think about leukoplakia and other types of dyskeratosis. A similar picture appears allergic reactions to local medications (contraceptives, medicinal ointments, suppositories). Moderate irritation is often caused by hygiene products. The epithelium of the cervix during pregnancy may be somewhat more abundant, the cellular cytoplasm has signs of decidual metamorphosis, this is a normal variant.

The cytological picture in men varies; the squamous cell component may increase with age, but its number should not exceed 15 units in one visual field. The abundance of epithelial masses, mucus impurities, leukocytes indicate inflammatory process. You should not attempt treatment on your own, as this may lead to the symptoms subside without eliminating the cause of the disease.