Cervical Health Dictionary

Cancer of the cervix – the neck of the womb – is one of the most common cancers affecting women throughout the world. In some areas its incidence is increasing. This cancer has clearly identi?able precancerous stages with abnormal changes occurring in the cells on the surface of the cervix: these changes can be detected by a CERVICAL SMEAR test. Early cancer can be cured by diathermy, laser treatment, electrocoagulation or cryosurgery. If the disease has spread into the body of the cervix or beyond, more extensive surgery and possibly radiotherapy may be needed. The cure rate is 95 per cent if treated in the early stages but may fall as low as 10 per cent in some severe cases. Around 3,000 patients are diagnosed as having cervical cancer every year in the United Kingdom, and around 1,500 die from it. Latest ?gures in England show that the incidence rates have fallen to under 11 per 100,000 women, while death rates fell by more than 40 per cent during the 1990s. The sexual behaviour of a woman and her male partners in?uences the chances of getting this cancer; the earlier a woman has sexual intercourse, and the more partners she has, the greater is the risk of developing the disease.... cervical cancer

This screening test detects abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix (see CERVIX UTERI), enabling an affected woman to have early treatment. The National Health Service has arrangements to check women regularly. A woman’s ?rst test should be within six months of her ?rst experience of intercourse and thereafter at three-yearly intervals for the rest of her life. The test is simple, with some cells being scraped o? the cervix with a spatula and the tissue then being examined microscopically.... cervical smear

The seven bones of the top end of the backbone that form the neck. The ?rst cervical vertebra is the atlas and this articulates with the base of the skull. The axis is the second vertebra, which contains a shaft of bone that allows the atlas to rotate on it, thus permitting the head to turn. (See SPINAL COLUMN.)... cervical vertebrae

Abnormal weakness of the cervix that can result in recurrent miscarriages. An incompetent cervix may gradually widen under the weight of the fetus from about the 12th week of pregnancy onwards, or may suddenly open during the second trimester. The condition is detected by an internal examination or by ultrasound scanning.

Treatment is with a suture (stitch) applied like a purse string around the cervix during the 4th month of pregnancy. The suture is left in position until the pregnancy is at or near full term and is then cut to allow the mother to deliver the baby normally.... cervical incompetence

Also known as , abnormalities in the cells of the cervix which may become cancerous.

The grading system is used to distinguish levels of change in the surface cells of the cervix in biopsy samples taken during colposcopy, a procedure usually performed following an abnormal cervical smear test.

Grades 1–3 broadly correspond to mild to severe cervical dysplasia in cells obtained from a smear.... cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Enlarged varicose veins on the cervix of the uterus, often accompanying ulcerations or long-term pelvic congestion. A symptom only of congestion or impaired circulation, they can occur in both semi-trivial and serious conditions.... cervical venosities

See: CANCER OF THE WOMB. ... cancer – cervical

A flexible contraceptive device placed directly over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering (see contraception, barrier methods of).... cap, cervical

A condition affecting the cervix in which a layer of mucusforming cells more characteristic of those found in the inner lining of the cervix appear on its outside surface. The eroded cervix has a fragile, reddened area on the surface. Usually, there are no symptoms, but some women experience bleeding at unexpected times and may have a vaginal discharge.

Cervical erosion may be present from birth. Other causes include injury to the cervix during labour and long-term use of oral contraceptives. The condition is often detected during a routine cervical smear test.

Only women who have symptoms need treatment.

Abnormal tissue may be destroyed using cauterization, cryosurgery, diathermy, or laser treatment.... cervical erosion

A form of contraception based on identifying periods for abstinence from intercourse according to the changes in the mucus secreted by a woman’s cervix (see contraception, natural methods of).... cervical mucus method

A congenital abnormality in which the lowest of the 7 cervical vertebrae (neck bones) has overdeveloped to form an extra rib parallel to and above the 1st normal rib.

Symptoms may occur if the rib begins to press on the lower brachial plexus (the group of nerves passing from the spinal cord into the arm), causing pain, numbness, and pinsand-needles in the forearm and hand.

Exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve posture may bring relief.

Severe or persistent symptoms may require surgery to remove the rib.... cervical rib

A test to detect cervical dysplasia (abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix) that could develop into cervical cancer (see cervix, cancer of). A smear test also detects viral infections of the cervix, such as herpes simplex and papilloma (see warts, genital). The test should be carried out 6 months after a woman starts to have sexual intercourse, with a repeat test 6–12 months later, and then every 3 years.

A sample of cells is taken from the surface of the cervix using a spatula and examined under a microscope.

If cells appear normal, nothing further needs to be done.

If cells show dysplasia, further investigations may be required.... cervical smear test

An alternative name for cervical osteoarthritis.... cervical spondylosis

A degenerative disorder, also known as cervical spondylitis, that affects the joints between the cervical vertebrae (bones in the neck). Cervical osteoarthritis mainly affects middle-aged and elderly people, but occasionally the degeneration begins earlier due to an injury.

Symptoms of cervical osteoarthritis may include pain and stiffness in the neck, pain in the arms and shoulders, numbness and tingling in the hands, and a weak grip. Other symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, and double vision when turning the head may also occur. Rarely, pressure on the spinal cord can cause weakness or paralysis in the legs and loss of bladder control.

Treatments include heat treatment and analgesics.

Physiotherapy may improve neck posture and movement.

Pressure on the spinal cord may be relieved by surgery (see decompression, spinal canal).... cervical osteoarthritis

a procedure to help prevent *preterm delivery. It involves inserting a purse-string suture around the cervix of the uterus between 12 and 14 weeks gestation, either transvaginally or transabdominally, to keep the cervix closed and reduce the possibility of preterm cervical dilatation and rupture of membranes.... cervical cerclage

see ectropion.... cervical ectopy

a fracture of a vertebra in the neck (see cervical vertebrae). Cervical fractures range from minor, requiring no treatment, to those associated with paralysis and instant death. Treatment can be support with a collar, skull traction, an *orthosis attached to the skull, or surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture.... cervical fracture

measurement of the resistance of the cervix during the passage of a series of metal (Hegar) dilators. Lack of resistance in a nonpregnant women may suggest cervical weakness when she has experienced a previous second-trimester pregnancy loss or if she has had previous surgery to the cervix, and may indicate *cervical cerclage in the event of future pregnancies.... cervical resistance index

*screening tests to detect the presence of precancerous changes in the cervix (neck) of the uterus (see cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). *Cervical smears are the standard first-line screening tools in most countries: screening programmes based on the traditional Papanicolaou (Pap) test have been mostly superseded by *liquid-based cytology. *Colposcopy is indicated when abnormal cells (*dyskaryosis) are detected.... cervical screening