INTERMEDIATE SQUAMOUS CELLS: These  are shed from semi mature squamous epithelium  and reflect the effect of progesterone (or oral contraceptive) or diminished oestrogen . These flat cells  are slightly smaller than the superficial squamous cells (35- 40u) and are less angular. The nuclei are  vesicular and  8u diameter   and have a delicate chromatin network. The cytoplasm is cyanophilic  and denser than that of the superficial cells.