What it is: A urine epithelial cells check, part of the microscopic portion of a urinalysis, looks at cells shed from the lining of the urinary tract (bladder, urethra) or, in women, the vagina.
Why it's ordered: Not ordered as a standalone test — it's part of routine microscopic urinalysis used to evaluate suspected urinary tract infection, inflammation, or to check whether a urine sample was properly collected.
What it detects: A small number of epithelial cells is normal. Squamous epithelial cells usually indicate the sample was contaminated during collection (from skin or vaginal tissue) rather than a urinary problem; elevated transitional or renal tubular epithelial cells can suggest infection, inflammation, or, rarely, malignancy.
Collection & prep: A urine sample collected in a clean container; a clean-catch, midstream technique reduces contamination and false findings. No special preparation is required.
Results:
High squamous cells – usually indicates sample contamination; may prompt a repeat, more carefully collected sample
High transitional/renal tubular cells – can suggest infection, inflammation, or a urinary tract problem needing further evaluation
Normal (few epithelial cells) – expected finding in a properly collected, healthy sample
Possible complications: Epithelial cell counts are mainly used to judge sample quality and support other urinalysis findings rather than to diagnose a condition on their own.
Statements made in the Clinical Manual have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
