UNSW Embryology

Human Menstrual Cycle Smears

Early Proliferative


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Day 5-9

Early Proliferative

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

Human Vaginal Smears

Stratum corneum (eosinophilic, red) and stratum spinosum (basophilic, blue) cells throughout the menstrual cycle.

Observe cell size, proportion of pyknotic nuclei, stain intensity and cell morphology. Leukocyte number is variable, but not a reliable criteria.