Talk:Menstrual Cycle
From Embryology
| Phase | Days | Smear | Description | Uterine (D&C) |
| Menstrual | 1 - 4 | Click on image to see full size. | Both stratum corneum (red) and stratum spinosum (blue) epithelial cells will mostly blood. Leukocytes and bacteria may also be present. | File:Humensm.gif |
| Early Proliferative | 5 - 9 | 
|
mainly large and small basophilic (blue) stratum spinosum cells. | |
| Mid Proliferative | 9 - 13 | 
|
Stratum spinosum (blue) increase in size. Dark precipate outside cells are bacteria. | File:Humprosm.gif |
| Late Proliferative, Ovulatory | 13-14 | 
|
mainly stratum corneum (red) which are large and flat, appear due to high estrogen levels. | File:Hulprosm.gif |
| Secretory | 15 - 22 | 
|
stratum spinosum cells (blue) which are folded or with curled edges, appear immediately after ovulation due to increase in progesterone. Leukocytes (small black cells) becoming more numerous. | File:Husecsm.gif |
| Late Secretory, (Ischemic) Premenstrual | 23 - 28 | 
|
stratum spinosum cells (blue) mainly with a few stratum corneum cells (red). Clustering of cells occurs at this stage and both leukocytes and bacteria are prevelant. | File:Hulsecsm.gif |
Human vaginal smear histology images in sequence: early proliferative | mid-proliferative | late proliferative | secretory | late secretory
Links: Menstrual Cycle
