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Tall Urine Epithelial Cells: What Does It Mean?

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

A urinalysis can give a lot of information regarding people’s kidney health as long as a doctor interprets it well. For the patient, many values generate concern when receiving this result.

Tall epithelial cells? Indeed, this is a possible result after undergoing a urine test, which generates fear from the first moment. However, at FastlyHealwe will talk to you about high urine epithelial cells, what it means, their average values ​​, and where they are located.

What are epithelial cells in urine: average values

In general, epithelial cells are individual cells responsible for covering the body’s internal and external surfaces, including the urinary tract, so it is possible to observe desquamated epithelial cells during any urine test.

The epithelial cells have a defined classification. They can be:

  • Flaky
  • Of Transition.
  • Renal tubular.

Squamous-type epithelial cells are found in the vagina and outer urethra. Transitional cells are located in the renal pelvis and urethra bladder. Renal tubular cells are found in the renal nephron.

According to the function they perform and the location of each one of them, their average values ​​range from approximately 3 to 5 cells per field in the result of a standard urinalysis.

Within the study of the urinary sediment is the content of the epithelial cells that allow giving essential and truthful information for the correct diagnosis of any urinary disease in conjunction with the other values ​​obtained (leukocytes, casts, red blood cells, bacteria, mucus, fungi) employing the study of urinary sediment through centrifugation.

High urine epithelial cells: meaning

Epithelial cells in urine can be determined by microscopic study of urinary sediment; it is customary to achieve a decreased or average value of epithelial cells in a urine sample. This is the product of epithelial detachment and cell replacement.

Epithelial cells are often seen in a urine test much more frequently in women than men. However, in both sexes, a high number of epithelial cells in urine represent a warning sign concerning urinary system diseases.

The most common reason this happens is that there is an infectious inflammatory process in the urinary system. Once this is defined, it is essential to consider the determination of the elevated cell type and the concentration in urine.

Tall squamous epithelial cells: why?

The high squamous epithelial cells are located in the epithelium of the vagina and the distal urethra; they usually exist in the urine examination with a meager value. However, otherwise, they are found in a high value because of vulvovaginitis or urethritis.

Another reason the amount of squamous epithelial cells may be found high in the urine test is that there may be contamination of the sample or an incorrect or inappropriate way of taking it. In this way, it is essential to perform the urine test again to corroborate this result and start the treatment indicated by the doctor immediately.

Tall transitional epithelial cells: causes

On the other hand, transitional cells are located in the bladder, renal pelvis, and proximal urethra. In addition, this cell type represents the superficial layer of the mucosa.

They are called transitional because it is located from the renal calyces to the bladder. Also, its microscopic characteristics vary depending on how the duct covering it is located, modifying whether it is full or empty.

This cell type has two essential functions, the first of which is capable of waterproofing the lumen of the urinary ducts, and the second allows the compliance of each one of them.

The elevated values ​​of these epithelial cells in urine are widely associated with inflammatory processes. Most of them are due to infections. The most frequent cause is escherichia cold, the presence of other germs and fungi not being exclusive.

Tall renal tubular epithelial cells: causes

Located in the renal nephron, also known as renal tubules, this cell type does not usually appear in a urine sample. However, if this happens, it is related to :

  • Damage to a vital organ such as the kidney is associated with diseases such as acute tubular necrosis.
  • Pyelonephritis.
  • Toxic or adverse reactions to some substances.

Medically the epithelial cells of the renal tubule are the most important once the urinary sediment is studied. It can appear in patients suffering from viral diseases such as measles, hepatitis, and even cytomegalovirus.

With this result, it is normal for the doctor to order some other complementary tests to diagnose kidney health properly.

Increased epithelial cells in a urinalysis can cause concern for the treating physician, so it is important to immediately have the result go to the medical consultation so that the diagnosis is known and the treatment is indicated from the first moment symptoms begin.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Epithelial cells in urine tall: what does it mean? We recommend that you enter our category of Kidneys and urinary system.

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