Navicular cell

Navicular cell is a boat-shaped benign epithelial cell seen in Pap smear.^[1] They are seen in pregnancy (most prominently during smears taken in the second trimester),^[2] second half of menstrual cycle, during menopause and in women using medroxyprogesterone acetate (depo-provera) for contraception. Navicular cells have folded edges, with a thickened outer rim of cytoplasm and an eccentric nucleus. They contain abundant glycogen in the cytoplasm, giving it a central yellow halo. The cytoplasm appears golden, refractile and granular under the microscope. In depo-provera users, the high progesterone levels result in more exfoliation of superficial squamous cells, thereby causing navicular cells to appear in Pap smear.^[3]

References

^ Harshmohan (2010). Harshmohan's textbook of Pathology (5 ed.). New Delhi: Jaypee Publications. p. 280. ASIN 9351523691.
^ Sattenspiel, Edward (1950). "Vaginal cytology in normal pregnancy". Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 6 (6): 800. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
^ EE, Volk (23 September 2000). "Cytologic findings in cervical smears in patients using intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-provera) for contraception". Diagnostic Cytopathology. 23 (3): 161–4. doi:10.1002/1097-0339(200009)23:3<161::AID-DC4>3.0.CO;2-O. PMID 10945902.

Gallery

High magnification view
Very high magnification view

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[1] Harshmohan (2010). Harshmohan's textbook of Pathology (5 ed.). New Delhi: Jaypee Publications. p. 280. ASIN 9351523691.

[2] Sattenspiel, Edward (1950). "Vaginal cytology in normal pregnancy". Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 6 (6): 800. Retrieved 9 December 2016.

[3] EE, Volk (23 September 2000). "Cytologic findings in cervical smears in patients using intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-provera) for contraception". Diagnostic Cytopathology. 23 (3): 161–4. doi:10.1002/1097-0339(200009)23:3<161::AID-DC4>3.0.CO;2-O. PMID 10945902.

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