Squamous Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Squamous and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| False Positive Leukocyte Esterase Test A false positive result may occur in the presence of strong oxidizing agents in the collection container. In random urine specimens from women, a positive result for leukocyte esterase may be due to a source external to the urinary tract. Other urine sediment findings such as bacteria, squamous or renal epithelial cells, lymphocytes or red blood cells do not contain esterases, and would not produce a positive leukocyte esterase test. | View Page |
| The cells faintly seen between the arrows are consistent with: | View Page |
| The cell indicated by the arrow is a: | View Page |
| Which of the following cells when found upon microscopic examination of the urine
would be most indicative of kidney disease: | View Page |
| Which of the following cells when found upon microscopic examination of the urine would be most indicative of kidney disease: | View Page |
| Cellular elements The gram stain reaction and appearance can be used to identify most cellular material seen in a direct smear. Identification of cellular elements present in a direct clinical smear is important because most of these elements play an important role in the disease process. For example, the quality of a sputum sample can be assessed by determining the relative numbers of squamous epithelial cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (segmented neutrophils) present.
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| Cells which may be difficult to differentiate from WBCs are: | View Page |
| What element is present in this slide? | View Page |
| Squamous Epithelial Cell A structure which may be misidentified as a cast is a squamous epithelial cell rolled into a cigar shaped cylinder. Unless the nucleus is plainly visible, this epithelial cell may be difficult to differentiate from a cast. A mixed cast contains two or more cell types.
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| Renal Epithelial Cells of Collecting Duct Origin Another form of renal epithelial cells originates in the collecting ducts and measures 12-20 microns. These are identified by their characteristic cuboidal shape and large usually slightly eccentric nucleus. Cuboidal cells are sometimes confused with neutrophils. Neutrophils, however, are slightly larger to nearly twice as large (20-35 microns) as cuboidal cells and have a segmented or band-shaped nucleus while cuboidal cells have a single round nucleus. This view under high power phase contrast shows two cuboidal cells lying between squamous cells. | View Page |
| Squamous Epithelial Cells The most common type of cell seen in the urine sediment is the epithelial cell. This slide shows squamous epithelial cells under low power brightfield microscopy. They appear as large flattened cells with abundant cytoplasm and small round central nucleus. Although squamous epithelial cells have little clinical significance they must be differentiated from other cellular elements. | View Page |
| Squamous Cells Under High Power Under high power magnification the cytoplasm appears granular and a small round nucleus may be apparent. | View Page |
| Squamous Cells Under Phase Contrast Using phase contrast and high power the cytoplasm and nucleus appear much darker. Note the folded edge of the cytoplasm which is characteristic of squamous cells. The long, thread-like structures are mucous strands. | View Page |
| Epithelial Cell Groups Sometimes epithelial cells appear in groups rather than singly. This field shows a cluster of squamous epithelial cells. | View Page |
| The different types of epithelial cells include: | View Page |