Cervix Anatomy and Functions

Anatomy of cervix:

Cervix is located in inside the pelvic cavity. Begins at the base of uterus and extends downwards onto the top part of vagina.

Anteriorly the cervix lies between the bladder and the bowel posteriorly. Laterally the cervix is close to uterus and uterine arteries superiorly and laterally.

Cervix comes from the Latin word NECK, as neck connects head to the lower body the same way cervix connects uterus to the vagina i.e. birth canal.

Cervix is wider in the middle and narrow at the both ends, and opens in to uterus (top) and vagina (bottom).

Length: 4cm approx.

Diameter: 3cm approx.

Size of cervix differs at each stage of a women’s life, parous woman (A woman who has given birth at least once) has cervix larger than that of Nulliparous woman (A woman who has never given birth). A woman at reproductive age has significantly lager cervix than of a postmenopausal woman.

Vagina, Cervix and uterus are located behind bladder and urethra and in front of rectum and anus.

Cervix is made up of Internal OS, Edocervical canal, Ectocervix and External OS.


Ectocervix and Endocervix meet at a boarder called as Squamocolumnar Junction or Transformation zone and this zone contains both glandular cells from Endocervix and squamous cells from Ectocervix.

Function of cervix:

Cervix is the protective barrier between uterus and vagina, allows fluids to flow inside and out of the uterus, also prevents objects like tampons and diaphragms from slipping in to uterus.


References:

NCBI

NCI

Cleveland clinic




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