Follicular cervicitis: This condition is characterised by exposure of the lymphoid follicles which are sometimes found in the cervix. It occurs at any age but is most common In post menopausal smear when the follicles are covered by thin fragile atrophic epithelium which is easily removed by the spatula. The smear contains swathes of lymphoid cells (mature and immature lymphocytes) in varying stages of differentiation. Tingible body macrophages are also present.
The presence of lymphoid cells from the germinal center and the relative paucity of polymorphs distinguishes follicular cervicitis from chronic cervicitis.