Page 890 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FUNCTIONAL CORRELATIONS 21.7 ■ Cellular

Characteristics of Vaginal Cytology

(Smear)

The superficial acidophilic cells of the vaginal epithelium appear flat and
irregular in outline, measuring about 35 to 65 μm in diameter; exhibit small
pyknotic nuclei; and contain cytoplasm that is stained light red (acidophilic)

or orange.

The intermediate cells are flat like the superficial cell but are smaller,
measuring 20 to 40 μm in diameter, and show a basophilic blue-green
cytoplasm. The nuclei are larger than those of the superficial cells and are
often vesicular. The intermediate cells are also elongated with folded borders

and elongated, eccentric nuclei.

The larger basal cells are from the basal layers of the vaginal epithelium.
All basal cells are oval, measure from 12 to 15 μm in diameter, and exhibit
large nuclei with prominent chromatin. Most of these cells exhibit basophilic

staining.

Vagina: Surface Epithelium

This higher-magnification photomicrograph illustrates the vaginal epithelium
and the underlying connective tissue. The surface epithelium is stratified
squamous nonkeratinized (1). Most of the superficial cells in vaginal
epithelium appear empty as a result of increased accumulation of glycogen in

their cytoplasm. During histologic preparation, the glycogen was extracted by
chemicals.

The lamina propria (2) contains dense, irregular connective tissue, lacks
glands, but contains numerous blood vessels (4) and lymphocytes (3).

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