What Does Endo Cells in a Pap Smear Mean?

Endo cells in a pap smear means that the doctor took samples from both the surface of the cervix (exo-cervix) and the cervical canal (endo-cervix). This is a normal part of the pap smear procedure and ensures the most accurate results.

Why Collect Endocervical Cells

• Endocervical cells are a sampling from the inside of the cervical canal. If the doctor only collects samples from the exterior, he may miss any abnormal cells on the interior of the cervix.

Samples Without Endo Cells

• A test without cells may indicate that the doctor did not collect a deep enough sample. In other instances it may indicate that the lab did not recognize the cells. Samples six weeks post-partum will have no endocervical cells at all.

Testing Without Endo Cells

• Many doctors feel that a sample without endocervical cells should be done over. However, there is evidence that samples without the cells may be adequate for testing.

Standard Pap Test

• With a pap exam the doctor collects exocervical and endocervical cells, with a spatula or brush, and smears them on a slide. A standard test reads the cells on the slide for anomalies.

Thin Prep Tests

• A thin prep test reads the cells on the slide and any cells on the spatula or brush.