Which of the following cell types can be mistaken for transitional epithelial cells?

Transitional epithelial cells, which line the bladder and parts of the urinary tract, can be mistaken for certain other types of renal tubular epithelial (RTE) cells due to their shape and size. Among the options, distal convoluted tubule RTE cells share characteristics like being larger and having a similar appearance to transitional cells, which can lead to confusion in microscopic examinations of urine sediment.

Transitional cells are typically larger and can have a rounded or somewhat irregular shape, characteristics also found in distal convoluted tubule RTE cells. Their cellular structure and the presence of a prominent nucleus further complicate the differentiation, especially when viewed in a urine sample that may contain a mixture of cell types.

While squamous epithelial cells and collecting duct RTE cells have distinct morphological features—squamous cells being much flatter and more uniform, and collecting duct RTE cells showing different staining characteristics—the potential for confusion in recognizing transitional cells mostly arises with distal convoluted tubule RTE cells. Therefore, recognizing the similarities between these two cell types is critical for accurate differential diagnosis in urinalysis.