T3 L4: The cervix in health and disease

Question 1

Why can a blood clot at the cervix cause fainting and clammines?

Answer 1

The cervix is supplied by parasympathetic nerves. A blood clot causes distention of the cervix and activates the parasympathetic nerves to cause fainting

Question 2

What are the function of the cervix?

Answer 2

• Produces mucus to facilitate sperm migration
• Acts as a barrier to ascending infection
• Holds the developing pregnancy in place
• Effaces and dilates to enable vaginal birth

Question 3

What are some physiological changes of the cervix in pregnancy?

Answer 3

• It hypertrophies
• Becomes softer
• Increases vascularity/venous congestion which gives it a purple tinge
• Glands distended with mucus creating a mucus plug
• Prominent ectropion
• Remains elongated until the onset of labour

Question 4

What does effacement of the cervix mean?

Answer 4

Thinning and softening of the cervix in preparation for labour

Question 5

What is cervical ectopy (erosion)?

Answer 5

A condition in which cells inside the cervix develop outside it and form a red, inflamed patch

It’s caused by oestrogen

Question 6

What is atrophic cervicitis?

Answer 6

Happens at menopause when there is a lack of oestrogen. The cervix will appear inflamed

Question 7

Give examples of some cervical infections

Answer 7

Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Trichomonas Vaginalis
HPV

Question 8

What effects does a HPV infection have?

Answer 8

• It can cause pre-cancer and cervix cancer
• Increased risk of oropharyngeal cancers in women
• Male partners of woman with cervix cancer have higher rates of tongue and tonsil cancer
• Anal cancer rates are higher in women with CIN and their male partners