Normal cell content

A cervical smear  which has been correctly  taken with a spatula or other smear taking device contains a variety of cells trapped in the cervical mucus. The epithelial cells may have been exfoliated spontaneously or detached forcibly by the spatula from the region of the external os.

A smear from a normal cervix will contain:

• Cells from original squamous epithelium on the ectocervix
• Cells from the columnar epithelium of the endocervical canal
• Cells from the metaplastic epithelium of the transformation zone
• Cells from other parts of the genital tract e.g. endometrial cells
• Histocytes, leucocytes, and red blood cells
• Normal vagina flora (lacto bacilli, gardnerella vaginalis, leptothrix vaginalis)
• Contaminants eg spermatozoa, talc granules
• Cervical mucus strands

Follow the links to view the slides, and click on them to expand the images and obtain a description.