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Squamous cells scraped from the cervix appear like "flakes" or "fried eggs" with the nucleus at the center. More superficial cells have thin cytoplasm and folded edges. The most mature squamous cells contain keratin filaments, giving them an orange color with Papanicolaou stain. Deeper cells or glandular cells which have become metaplastic squamous cells have rounded edges with little folding. Squamous cells without nuclei are called hyperkeratosis and indicate that there is a cornified layer in some part of the squamous mucosa. Stratum corneum in a squamous mucosa is a benign change that usually indicates irritation, but may occasionally obscure a deeper area of dysplasia.
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