What are parabasal cells on a Pap smear?
When do intermediate squames appear in the cytology?
Where are parabasal cells found in a Pap smear?
Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Possible symptoms of cervicitis include bleeding between menstrual periods, pain with intercourse or during a pelvic exam, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance is the most common abnormal finding in a Pap test. It may be a sign of infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) or other types of infection, such as a yeast infection.
Intermediate Squamous Cells The cell is found in the stratum spongiosum (midzone) layer of the squamous epithelium. The intermediate cell’s cytoplasm is thin, transparent, and typically stains basophilic. The centrally placed nucleus is 35 µm. The nucleus is vesicular with fine evenly dispersed granular chromatin.
Parabasal squamous cells are found in the basal layer of the squamous epithelium. The round- to oval-shaped cell is 318-706 µm in size. The dense homogenous basophilic cytoplasm encloses a 50 µm nucleus. The nuclear detail reveals a finely granular chromatin.
An abnormal but not malignant cell seen in some cytologic specimens obtained during Papanicolaou tests (Pap tests). It is found in women with vaginal atrophy, in some postpartum women, some women suffering from anorexia or starvation, and some who have used progesterone for contraception.
Inflammation often results in a mildly abnormal Pap test, resulting in the diagnosis of ASCUS in the Bethesda System or changes consistent with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. An inflamed cervix may appear red, irritated, or eroded.
ASC-US is a preliminary result and not a final diagnosis. Conditions associated with ASC-US include non-cancerous changes such as inflammation in the cervix and the pre-cancerous disease low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). The cells in ASC-US are not cancer cells.
Parabasal cells are the smallest epithelial cells seen on a typical vaginal smear. They are round or nearly round and have a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. Parabasal cells are prevalent on smears taken during diestrus and anestrus, and not uncommon during early proestrus.
