MyPathologyReport
December 5, 2023
Squamous metaplasia describes a change where the cells normally found in a tissue or organ are replaced by specialized squamous cells. It constitutes a benign (non-cancerous) change. In pathology, metaplasia is the replacement of one type of differentiated cell with another. Squamous metaplasia is commonly seen in the respiratory tract, urinary tract (typically the bladder), and cervix.
Squamous cells are epithelial cells normally found on the surface of the skin and mucosal sites such as the oral cavity, large airways, and cervix. They are wide, flat cells that stick together to form a strong barrier on the surface of a tissue.
What causes squamous metaplasia?
In most areas of the body, squamous metaplasia develops in response to chronic irritation or inflammation. The transformation to squamous cells is considered an adaptive change, as squamous epithelium is more resistant to stress and irritation compared to other cell types. Common causes include exposure to toxins, cigarette smoke, chronic infection, or other irritants. In the transformation zone of the cervix, squamous metaplasia is considered a normal, physiologic process that occurs in response to increased estrogen stimulation after puberty.
About this article
Doctors wrote this article to assist you in reading and comprehending your pathology report. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions about this article or your pathology report. To get a comprehensive introduction to your pathology report, read this article.
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