Epithelial cells are a type of cell that lines the surfaces of your body.
They are found on the following locations in your body:
- your skin
- blood vessels,
- urinary tract,
- and organs.
The most common type of cell seen in the urine sediment is the squamous epithelial cell. A squamous epithelial cell is a large flattened cell with abundant cytoplasm and small round central nucleus. Although squamous epithelial cells have little clinical significance, they must be differentiated from other cellular elements.
Squamous epithelial cells line the urethra in females and the distal portion of the urethra in males.
An epithelial cells in urine test looks at urine under a microscope to see if the number of your epithelial cells is in the normal range. It's normal to have a small amount of epithelial cells in your urine.
A large amount may indicate:
- Urinary tract infection
- Yeast infection
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Certain types of cancer
Large numbers of squamous epithelial cells in the urine of women can represent vaginal or perineal contamination. Large numbers in the urine of an uncircumcised male can also represent contamination.
If your results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition that requires treatment. You may need more tests before you can get a diagnosis. To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider.
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