UNSW Embryology

Human Menstrual Cycle

Embryology Home Page

Smears

Human Stages

Low Power Series

High Power Series

Human Embryo Homepage

The graph below shows a "typical" menstrual cycle of 28 days in relation to hormonal and body temperature changes.

Human Vaginal Smears

Day 5-9
Day 9-13
Day 13-14
Day 15-22
Day 23-28

Click on image to see full size.

Menstrual
Early Proliferative
Mid Proliferative
Late Proliferative, Ovulatory
Secretory
Late Secretory, (Ischemic) Premenstrual

day 1-4

Both stratum corneum (red) and stratum spinosum (blue) epithelial cells will mostly blood. Leukocytes and bacteria may also be present.

[coloured words are not links]

mainly large and small basophilic (blue) stratum spinosum cells.

stratum spinosum (blue) increase in size. Dark precipate outside cells are bacteria.

mainly stratum corneum (red) which are large and flat, appear due to high estrogen levels.

stratum spinosum cells (blue) which are folded or with curled edges, appear immediately after ovulation due to increase in progesterone. Leukocytes (small black cells) becoming more numerous.

stratum spinosum cells (blue) mainly with a few stratum corneum cells (red). Clustering of cells occurs at this stage and both leukocytes and bacteria are prevelant.

Human (dnc)

Human Vaginal Smears	Day 5-9	Day 9-13	Day 13-14	Day 15-22	Day 23-28
Click on image to see full size.
Menstrual	Early Proliferative	Mid Proliferative	Late Proliferative, Ovulatory	Secretory	Late Secretory, (Ischemic) Premenstrual
day 1-4
Both stratum corneum (red) and stratum spinosum (blue) epithelial cells will mostly blood. Leukocytes and bacteria may also be present. [coloured words are not links]	mainly large and small basophilic (blue) stratum spinosum cells.	stratum spinosum (blue) increase in size. Dark precipate outside cells are bacteria.	mainly stratum corneum (red) which are large and flat, appear due to high estrogen levels.	stratum spinosum cells (blue) which are folded or with curled edges, appear immediately after ovulation due to increase in progesterone. Leukocytes (small black cells) becoming more numerous.	stratum spinosum cells (blue) mainly with a few stratum corneum cells (red). Clustering of cells occurs at this stage and both leukocytes and bacteria are prevelant.
Human (dnc)