
According to Dr. Edgar Lerma on Medscape, the normal range of squamous epithelial cells in urine is up to 15-20 squamous epithelial cells/hpf. However, a reading of more than 15-20 SEC/hpf usually indicates that the urine specimen has been contaminated and a new sample should be taken.4.
What does high epithelial cells in urine mean?
What Does a High Count of Epithelial Cells Indicate? According to the Mayo Clinic, a high level of epithelial cells that are revealed in a urinalysis sample can be an indication of a tumor. More commonly, a high count of these cells in a urine test indicates that the urine sample has been contaminated.
What does high count of epithelial cells indicate?
When there are high epithelial cells, this could be a source of concern, as it could be an indication of infection, malignancies, or even inflammation. What does it indicate? As a man or woman, it is normal for you to shed a certain amount of epithelial cells from your bladder present in urine. In small amounts, this should not be a source of worry.
What does it mean when there are high epithelial cells?
A raised amount of epithelial cells in the urine may indicate an infection or other health condition. Epithelial cells are cells on the surfaces of the body that act as a protective barrier. They stop viruses getting inside the body.
Does urine from bladder contain any squamous cells?
Squamous cells in the urine are a type of epithelial cells, which come from the tissues lining the bladder or urethra, among other structures in the body. It’s normal for epithelial cells to show up in urine, though the number of them increases in the event of inflammation or infection in the urinary system.

What does high squamous epithelial cells in urine mean?
If there are squamous epithelial cells in your urine, it may mean your sample was contaminated. This means that the sample contains cells from another part of the body. This can happen if you do not clean your genital area well enough when collecting your urine sample with the clean catch method.
What is a high number for squamous epithelial cells?
The level of squamous epithelial cells per HPF greater than 15 – 20 cells indicates contamination in the urine sample. More than 15 epithelial cells per HPF in the urine sample indicates improper functioning of the kidney.
Are squamous epithelial cells cancerous?
The cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant skin tumor that arises from epithelial keratinocytes and shows some degree of maturation towards keratin formation. After the basal cell carcinoma, it is the second most common form of skin cancer.
How do I read my urine test results?
Normal values are as follows:Color – Yellow (light/pale to dark/deep amber)Clarity/turbidity – Clear or cloudy.pH – 4.5-8.Specific gravity – 1.005-1.025.Glucose - ≤130 mg/d.Ketones – None.Nitrites – Negative.Leukocyte esterase – Negative.More items...•
What is normal squamous epithelial cells?
Squamous Epithelial Cells They are flat or rolled cells that have at least one angular border and either a single small, condensed nucleus or no nucleus (Figs.
What is the normal range of epithelial cell?
The normal range of epithelial cells remains constant in people of all gender and ages. The optimum range of epithelial cells in urine is less than 15 – 20 squamous epithelial cells / HPF ( high power field). Epithelial cells more than the optimum range indicate a health disorder.
What are squamous epithelial cells in Pap smear?
Squamous cells form the surface of your cervix. This result means the squamous cells don't look normal. This could be because of an infection, including HPV. Glandular cells produce mucus in your cervix and uterus.
What happens when epithelial cells increased in urine?
In general, a small amount of epithelial cells in the urine is not usually a cause for concern. However, an abnormal increase in the number of these cells in the urine may indicate a warning sign of certain conditions, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, liver disease. or cancer.
How many epithelial cells are there in urine?
Epithelial cells naturally slough off from your body. It’s normal to have one to five squamous epithelial cells per high power field (HPF) in your urine. Having a moderate number or many cells may indicate:
What are the different types of epithelial cells?
Types of epithelial cells. Epithelial cells differ by size, shape, and appearance. There are three types of epithelial cells that can be found in your urine, depending on their origin: Renal tubular. These are the most important of the epithelial cells. An increased number can mean a kidney disorder.
What does it mean when you have a yeast infection in your urine?
a yeast or urinary tract infection (UTI) kidney or liver disease. certain kinds of cancer. The type of epithelial cells in the urine may also signal certain conditions. For instance, epithelial cells that contain a large amount of hemoglobin, or blood particles, may mean that you recently had red blood cells or hemoglobin in the urine, ...
What is the function of epithelial cells?
They serve as a barrier between the inside and outside of your body, and protect it from viruses. A small number of epithelial cells in your urine is normal. A large number may be a sign of infection, kidney disease, ...
Is squamous epithelial cell found in urine?
A urinalysis that finds squamous epithelial cells in the urine isn’t the norm, William Winter, MD, a clinical chemist for Shands Hospital and professor of pathology and pediatrics at the University of Florida, told Healthline.
Where do renal cells come from?
They’re also called renal cells. Squamous. This is the largest type. They come from the vagina and urethra. This type is most often found in female urine. Transitional. They can come from anywhere between the male urethra and the renal pelvis. They’re sometimes called bladder cells, and are more common in older adults.
Can epithelial cells reveal UTI?
It may be the result of a contaminated sample. Epithelial cells may also reveal underlying conditions, such as a UTI or kidney disorder. Only your doctor can interpret your test results and decide your best course of action. Even then, further testing may be needed. Last medically reviewed on November 3, 2017.
How to Treat Squamous Epithelial Cells in Urine?
In case such increased numbers of squamous epithelial cells are diagnosed to be an indication of Urinary Tract Infection, treatment would usually involve a combination of antiviral and antibiotic medication. In case the increase in a number of many squamous epithelial cells in urine is detected to a kidney problem, treatment would differ depending upon the intensity of the problem.
Why are squamous epithelial cells found in urine?
Usually, if squamous epithelial cells are found in somebody’s urine, the probable cause for the same might be Contamination. This essentially means that while the urine sample was given using the clean catch method, the area was not cleaned well enough. Squamous epithelial cells in urine might come from the urethra in case of men and vaginal opening in case of a female. Thus, while giving any urine sample, it should be ensured that the sample is not contaminated. Finding squamous epithelial cells in urine during pregnancy is common.
How many squamous cells are in urine?
It is normal to detect one to five squamous epithelial cells per high power field (HPF) in the urine. Moderate number of 6-10 squamous epithelial cells or high number of squamous epithelial cells in urine (10-20) would indicate
Why is urine important?
Urine is the most important by-product of metabolism in human beings. Urine filters out wastes, toxins, and excess water from our body. The urine analysis helps one understand the problems in the body by detecting the waste by-products released by the body. Urine analysis also helps detect squamous epithelial cells too.
What is the epithelial cell?
Epithelial cells are the type of cells which line the surface of our skin. Various parts of our body such as the blood vessels, the different organs, and the urinary tract have epithelial cells. While it is normal to find a small number of epithelial cells in the urine, a large number of epithelial cells might indicate a possible infection ...
Where are squamous cells found?
Squamous epithelial cells are found on the skin of different organs and on the outer lining of the urethra. That is the reason squamous cells can sometimes appear in the urine of human beings. However, the presence of squamous epithelial cells in urine indicates towards a possible contamination of skin from where such squamous epithelial cell has ...
Can you get squamous epithelial cells in urine during pregnancy?
Thus, while giving any urine sample, it should be ensured that the sample is not contaminated. Finding squamous epithelial cells in urine during pregnancy is common .
What does it mean when a person's urine has a high amount of transitional epithelial cells?
When a person’s urine has high amounts of transitional epithelial cells, it may indicate an inflammation in the urinary tract. Normally, newborn babies will have some renal cells in their urine. However, for healthy people, it should not contain these cells.
Why does urine contain squamous cells?
In most cases, the urine will contain squamous cells due to a contamination. However, if the re-test still showed the presence of these cells, it is a sign of an infection in the urinary tract. The urine analysis may also show the presence of renal epithelial cells, which indicates an inflammation in the kidney.
How does a urine test detect diabetes?
A urine test can detect diabetes by measuring the amount of glucose. The urinalysis can determine the presence of stones in the kidney or urethra by identifying the type of crystal present in the urine. A urinalysis can also determine the liver’s condition by detecting the presence of bilirubin.
What are endothelial cells?
The endothelial cells present in the inner lining of the capillaries are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and nutrients in the tissues and allow the outward flow of waste materials.
Why do we need a urinalysis?
Health care practitioners recommend that a person should take an annual urinalysis because it can provide vital information about the condition of certain organs and glands of the body , which includes the following: A urine test can detect diabetes by measuring the amount of glucose.
What type of cells are in urine?
Types of Epithelial Cells in Urine. Because epithelial cells are present in the kidney and urinary tract, a person’s urine may contain varying types of epithelial cells that may indicate certain medical conditions depending on the type of the cell, which includes the following: Women will typically have a certain amount ...
What are the functions of squamous epithelial cells?
In the veins and arteries, the main role of these cells is to reduce friction leading to a smooth flow of the blood.
What is squamous cell in urine?
Not worrisome: Squamous cells in urine could be contamination from genitalia's squamous epithelium mucosa or from trigone area of urinary bladder (female). Not worri... Read More
Can a clean urine test tell if you have a UTI?
Probably nothing: If this was a clean catch urine, your doctor would use these results along with your symptoms to decide if you have a UTI. Clean catch urine, though, ... Read More
Is mucus in urine dangerous?
The presence of mucus in the urine in not serious or dangerous. It probably comes form vaginal secretions. I see that the UA also shows some blood, w... Read More

Benefits
Overview
- Epithelial cells are the type of cells which line the surface of our skin. Various parts of our body such as the blood vessels, the different organs, and the urinary tract have epithelial cells. While it is normal to find a small number of epithelial cells in the urine, a large number of epithelial cells might indicate a possible infection or a kidney problem or some other medical condition.
Pathophysiology
- Squamous epithelial cells are found on the skin of different organs and on the outer lining of the urethra. That is the reason squamous cells can sometimes appear in the urine of human beings. However, the presence of squamous epithelial cells in urine indicates towards a possible contamination of skin from where such squamous epithelial cell has come.
Causes
- Usually, if squamous epithelial cells are found in somebodys urine, the probable cause for the same might be Contamination. This essentially means that while the urine sample was given using the clean catch method, the area was not cleaned well enough. Squamous epithelial cells in urine might come from the urethra in case of men and vaginal opening in case of a female. Thus…
Diagnosis
- A normal urine test would include a test for detecting squamous epithelial cells. However, if somebody comes for a urine analysis with symptoms of kidney disorder or urinary infections such as frequent urination, or pain while urinating, back pain, lower abdomen pains, a medical practitioner might ask for undergoing a thorough urine test following the clean catch method. Th…
Treatment
- The treatment of high levels of squamous epithelial cells in urine would require analyzing the underlying cause and treat it accordingly. In case such increased numbers of squamous epithelial cells are diagnosed to be an indication of Urinary Tract Infection, treatment would usually involve a combination of antiviral and antibiotic medication. In c...
Prevention
- However, doctors might suggest a lifestyle change in order to prevent further occurrence of this problem. The individual might be advised to lose weight, have a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.