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Urine is a hostile environment for cells since they encounter abnormal osmotic pressures,
pH changes, and exposure to toxic metabolites. For these reasons, post-collection delay of
examination should be minimized. If delay is unavoidable, refrigeration will slow
degeneration of cells.
For routine purposes, cells are examined as unstained wet-mounts of sedimented urine. Under some circumstances, air-dried smears are prepared and stained with hematologic stains. Red blood cells and leukocytes are quantified as cells/HPF (High Power Field - 40x objective). Other cell types are usually subjectively listed as "few, moderate, or many". Click on the buttons below for pictures and more discussion of various types of cells in urine. |
| Red Blood Cells | White Blood Cells |
| Squames | Transitional Cells |
| Neoplastic Cells | |
Last Updated: January 15, 1996