PARABASAL CELLS : Parabasal cells are the predominant cell type in atrophic or post partum smears. They are small (15-30u) with dense cyanophilic cytoplasm. Effete eosinophilic cytoplasmic staining is occasionally seen Nuclei have a  fine chromatin pattern and occupy about one half of the cell. The cells are spontaneously exfoliated they appear rounded. When they have been forcibly detached they appear as sheets of cells.. Parabasal cells are particularly fragile and their cytoplasm may disintegrate during smear preparation. Basal cells are rarely seen in cervical smears because of their deep position in the mucosa and their  attachment to the basement membrane.