Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Epithelial Cells in the Urine Sediment

Urinalysis and Body

Fluids Review 499

CELL DESCRIPTION ORIGIN CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE COMMENTS

Squamous epithelial cell

Transitional epithelial cell

↑numbers usually seen in

urine from females. May

obscure RBCs & WBCs.

Reduced by collecting

midstream clean-catch

specimen.

May form syncytia (clumps)

40–50 μm. Flat.

Prominent round

nucleus.

20–30μm. Spherical,

pear-shaped, or

polyhedral. Round

central nucleus.

Lower urethra,

vagina

Renal pelvis,

ureters, bladder,

upper urethra

Usually none

Seldom significant

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