Atypical squamous metaplasia of bronchial epithelium. Atypical parakeratotic cells (small, brightly orangeophilic cells with a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio). Contrast these atypical cells to the more mature squamous cells present in the field. Atypical squamous metaplastic cells: Note the relatively high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio compared to more mature squamous cells, nuclear hyperchromasia, and densely keratinzed (orangeophilic) cytoplasm. Squamous metaplasia: Note the metaplastic cells with low nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios, nuclei with vesicluar chromatin, and abundant relatively thin cytoplasm.