Pap smear; high power
Mostly intermediate cells with green cytoplasm and nuclei about the size of lymphocytes.
Note two metaplastic cells with grooves, consistent with transitional metaplasia
Pap smear; Medium power
Numerous, polygonal superficial cells with pink cytoplasm and small, pyknotic nuclei
Pap Smear; Medium Power
Superficial cells with polygonal shape, pink cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei
Intermediate cells with slightly smaller size, green cytoplasm and nuclei about the size of mature lymphocyte
Parabasal cells in clusters
Features
• Liquid based
• At least 5,000 squamous cells (8,000 - 12,000 cells in conventional smear)
• At least 75% unobscured cells (obscuring factors: inflammation, bacteria, blood etc.)
• Benign endocervical cells do not contribute to adequacy
>10 endocervical/metaplastic cells for transition zone sampling
• Superficial cells: Polygonal shapes, pink cytoplasm, thin
• Intermediate cells: Size similar to superficial or parabasal cells, polygonal, green-blue cytoplasm
• Parabasal cells: Small size, dense teal/basophilic cytoplasm
• Basal cells: Minimal cytoplasm
• Superficial cells: Small, pyknotic nucleus
• Intermediate cells: Nucleus about the size of mature lymphocyte, fine chromatin
• Parabasal cells: High nucleus to cytoplasmic ratio, round to oval nucleus, smooth chromatin
• Must have absence of Squamous intraepithelial abnormalities or glandular malignancy to diagnose NILM