The cervix is lined by squamous and glandular cells, and usually both these cell types will be seen in cervical samples. Inflammatory cells including neutrophils and macrophages are commonly present. Glandular cells from the endometrium may be present and these can be a normal finding in premenopausal women, but their presence may indicate endometrial disease in postmenopausal women.


Sometimes cervical samples can contain dense, 3D groups of cells termed hyperchromatic crowded groups. These groups can consist of normal or abnormal cells but the crowded nature of the groups makes them difficult to assess.