AGR506 Vaginal Cytology

What are the five cell types beginning with the deepest, most immature layer near the basement membrane and progressing superficially to the most mature layer nearest the vaginal lumen?

-Parabasal epithelial cells

(cytoplasm and nucleus equalish in size)

-Small intermediate cells

-Large intermediate cells

(intermediate cells are like fried eggs with more cytoplasm than nucleus)

-Superficial cells with pyknotic nuclei (very small nucleus and lots of cytoplasm)

-Anuclear superficial cells (looks like just cytoplasm)

Which cells are cornified?

Anuclear and superficial

Which cells are non-cornified?

Intermediate and parabasal

When estrogen is low and the female is in anestrus and diestrus (luteal phase), what types of cells will show on the vaginal swab slide?

non-cornified: intermediate and parabasal

When estrogen is high and the female is in proestrus and estrus (follicular phase), what types of cells will show on the vaginal swab slide?

Cornified: Anuclear and superficial