Cervix Flashcards
What is the cervix?
The opening to the uterus
What does the cervix form?
Forms a canal from the vagina to the uterus
What is the external os?
It’s the inferior opening in the vagina
What is the internal os?
It is the superior opening into the uterus
What is between the internal os and the external os?
The cervical canal
What does the cervical canal guide?
Sperm, cervical mucus is produced here, menstrual blood and uterine tissue exits to through the canal into the vagina and many contraceptive methods act on the cervix
What do diaphragm caps block?
The external os - type of contraceptive
What do progesterone only pills do?
Thicken the cervical mucus
What is the epithelium like in the adult vagina in the canal?
It is squamous at the internal os but becomes stratified at the external os to protect itself from the acidic environment of the vagina
What happens during adolescence to the cervix?
It everts slightly which brings the squamous epithelium of the canal onto contact with the acidic environment of the vagina
What does the change in pH mean in the canal when the cervix everts?
Stimulates the transformation of the epithelium into more protective stratified epithelium
What does change in the cellular composition of the tissue increase in the vagina?
Changes of cancerous cells developing
What are smear tests?
The are carried out on women over the age of 25 to monitor the epithelium of the cervix for cancerous changes
What does CIN stand for?
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
How many levels exist for CIN?
Three stages
