Flat epithelium in the urine

An epithelial layer is called a single layer of cells that lines the mucous membranes of the urogenital, respiratory system and digestive tract. Of the epithelial cells consist mainly of all the glands of the human body. Epithelial cells are divided into several species, one of which is its flat appearance. When performing a general analysis, physicians can detect a flat epithelium in the urine. Is it a norm or a pathology? What is the cause of this fact? Let's try to understand this article.

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The norm of the flat epithelium in the urine

When conducting a general analysis of urine, a medical worker examines several characteristics of urine. These parameters may vary slightly, but for a healthy organism these indices must fall within certain limits of the physiological norm. If the parameters go beyond recognized physiological intervals, then a pathological deviation of the parameter from the norm is ascertained, which indicates the presence of some disease. Regular comparative analysis of a specific indicator allows you to assess the rate of progression of the disease and take adequate measures in time.

The norm of the flat epithelium in the urine of a male patient is the absence of epithelial cells in the eyepiece of the microscope, that is, the area observed by the laboratory assistant conducting the study, or they can be three to five units, but no more. In women, this form of epithelium in urine should be absent or in a single quantity. If such cells are more than normal, the doctor usually prescribes a second analysis, since the result may be unreliable due to a woman's inadequate preparation for urine collection.

The urine is collected in a sterile container specially designed for such analysis. In the absence of such a container, the container for the future analysis must be thoroughly washed and disinfected with boiling water at the end. Immediately before collecting urine, a woman needs to wash her external genitalia well. Only after passing through all these procedures can we talk about collecting urine for conducting a correct, reliable analysis. It should be remembered that it is necessary to collect only the average portion of urine, since it is the most informative. 100 ml will be enough for the research.

The most truthful analysis is obtained within one hour after taking urine.

The causes of the appearance of flat epithelium in the urine

The presence of epithelial cells in the urine, can talk about the inflammatory process present in the patient's body. The causes of the appearance of a flat epithelium in the urine may be several.

• Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
• Nephropathy (a disease of the kidneys in which their functioning is disturbed) is dismetabolic. The disease, associated with structural and functional disorders of the kidneys, developing against a background of metabolic disorders, accompanied by crystalluria.
• Nephropathy of a medicinal nature. Structural and functional changes in the kidneys that develop on the background of pharmacological therapy.
• Other urethritis of different etiology.
• Prostatitis in men.

At the same time, doctors know that the presence of a small amount of flattened epithelium in the urine of a woman may not indicate any disease, while the same figure in men clearly indicates the presence of urethritis.

Deciphering of the flat epithelium in the analysis of urine

Epithelial cells cover almost all surfaces and cavities of systems and organs of the human body. In human urine, there are three types of cells - flat, renal and transitional. It is from which of these structures are present in the sediment, and it depends which direction the diagnosis will be offered by the attending physician.

Human urine passes through the pathways and organs related to the urinary system. And if in the urine in the laboratory study find the cells of the epithelium of one of the species (or several at once), then it gives the opportunity for the experienced urologist to concretize the pathology and further to directively assign additional studies.

Since the cellular structure of different organs is different from each other - this gives reason to talk about a particular disease. This is precisely the explanation of the flat epithelium in the analysis of urine.

By conducting a general analysis of urine, the laboratory assistant not only determines the amount of epithelial cells, but also classifies them according to the three available species. It is on how many and what cells of the epithelium is present in urine and what a preliminary diagnosis depends on which the attending physician will deliver to the patient.

If the flat epithelium in the urine is recognized, then its quantity "speaks" about the presence or absence of pathological processes in the human body. If the laboratory assistant has no more than three units of flat epithelium in the urine in the field of vision, then we can state the absence of any urological pathologies. If the cells in question are observed more, the doctor can put as a preliminary diagnosis - urethritis. This is the most common pathology in men - inflammation of the urethra (urethra), which is caused by various pathogens (bacteria or viruses). In women, the presence of a large number of these cells may not be a sign of any disease. In this case, a reanalysis carried out in compliance with all the necessary recommendations is necessary.

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Cells of flat epithelium in the urine

Cells of flat epithelium are represented in the human body by endothelium, mesothelium and epidermis. There is also a division into single-layered and multilayer structures.

Mesothelium and endothelium belong to the single-layered flat epithelium. Endothelium covered the internal walls of the vessels, as well as the heart cavity. Endothelial cells contain a small amount of organelles. They have a high level of exchange processes. If the endothelial bed is broken, such changes lead to blood clots and, accordingly, to thrombosis or blockage of the artery. The formation of these cells is from the mesenchyme.

Mesothelium is also a single-layered flat epithelium, originating from the mesoderm. The mesothelial layer covers the inner and outer layers of all serous membranes. Mesothelium cells have a polygonal outline, connecting with other cells with uneven faces. The mesothelium cell has one or two cores, and the membrane has short microscopic villi. These features of the mesothelial layer allow the internal organs to slide freely over the surface of the neighboring organ without disturbing its normal functioning.

In the body there is also a multilayered flat epithelium, divided into:

• Ectoderm - non-coronary cells of flat epithelium covering the lining of the cornea of the eye, mucous of the digestive tract at the sites of its anal and anterior parts.
• Epidermis - keratinous flat epithelium, which is the skin of a person.

Therefore, the question arises, what does it mean if cells of the flat epithelium appear in the urine?

If the cells of the flat epithelium are detected in the urine when passing the general analysis by the woman, this in most cases is the norm and further, more thorough diagnosis does not require. The process of excretion of epithelial cells of this type is due to the fact that this epithelium is located on the inner lining of the uterus and on the large and small labia. Therefore, the appearance of flat epithelium in female urine may indicate that it is not well prepared for this study. Women in the field of the eyepiece of the microscope need to get no more than three units, then we can say that it is healthy.

The question arises, can there be a flat epithelium in the urine of women, and if "yes", then is this the norm? In this issue, physicians are unanimous: in carrying out a general study of the urine of a healthy man, even single cells of flat epithelium should not be detected. If they are present in the urine of a man - this indicates the presence in the first place urethritis.

The diagnosis depends on the number of cells in the field of vision. The urologist will analyze the results of a general urinalysis and will make recommendations, and if there is a need, he will give an appointment for an additional examination. Only after receiving a complete picture of pathological changes, we can talk about a specific disease.

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When is the flat epithelium in the urine elevated?

If the urine is collected correctly, the result of the analysis will have high reliability. If the flat epithelium in the urine is elevated, most likely there is an infection of the urogenital system, which must be identified and treated.

When is a lot of flattened epithelium in the urine?

Many flat epithelium in the urine of women can be even if there are no urological pathologies. After all, this type of cells is a lining of the vagina, but a number of them can enter the urethra and from the bladder and urethra.

With men, the situation is somewhat different, if they find a lot of flat epithelium in the urine, then it can enter the urine only from the lower third of the urethra.

If a large number of flat epithelial cells is detected, then the urologist is inclined to diagnose the urinary tract infection of men with an infection. After this, an additional examination of the patient is appointed and only then the diagnosis is specified.

Single flat epithelium in the urine

Despite the multiple innovative methods of diagnosis, a general analysis of urine is still in demand. The proper conduct of taking the material for the study, and the specialist receives a fairly informative result. Being able to analyze any deviations from the norm, a qualified doctor is able to assume the presence of pathology, and, more specifically, to appoint a further examination.

But if the analysis shows a single flat epithelium in the urine, then immediately experience is not worth it. Its insignificant presence in the urine is an indicator of the norm, because single cells can be present in it constantly. The main thing is to properly prepare for the analysis, following all the doctor's recommendations.

Flat epithelium in the baby's urine

Above in the article, the question of the presence in the urine of an adult human of flat epithelial cells has already been raised. It was also agreed that in girls and women this sediment is almost always present, since the epithelium of the uterus changes quite often and just as often the exfoliated cells are excreted from the body of the fair sex. Whereas in men their presence indicates most likely an infectious urinary tract infection.

A flat epithelium in the baby's urine can be determined. For example, newly born babies in urine may have not only flat, but also kidney and / or transitional epithelial cells, but their presence does not at all indicate any disease. For a newborn this is the norm. And this is explained by the adaptation of the urinary system of the child to a new, extrauterine, environment of existence.

As they grow older, these criteria for assessing the norm change. In an older child, the presence of a flat epithelium in the urine may indicate an inflammatory process of infectious etiology that affects the genitourinary system of the baby.

This indicator in the urine of the child should normally be reduced to the absence of epithelial cells or there should not be more than one or three of them in the field of vision. But children, like adults, should be prepared for this analysis, otherwise the result of the research may be distorted. Therefore, before you surrender your child's urine, you need to thoroughly wash it. The jar, where the tests will be given, must be sterile. Only in this case, the result of this study can be trusted.

The presence of flat epithelium in the urine and ignorance of the norms, can upset the person and make him panic. But, it turns out, the cells of this species do not carry a special diagnostic value. But their full presence in urine should not be ignored. If the analysis shows a large number of them in the urine, this may indicate an inflammatory process in the human genitourinary system. Therefore, in order not to worry in vain, it is better to seek the advice of a specialist. Only a qualified doctor is able to dispel all your doubts and, if necessary, give recommendations or prescribe an additional examination and effective therapy. Do not forget the early diagnosis - it is an opportunity to get rid of the disease with fewer losses and complications for your body.

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