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cervix
cervix In full, cervix uteri, the ‘neck of the womb’. A short thick tube of smooth muscle around a narrow channel leading from the body of the uterus to the vagina, the first part of the long and hazardous route which sperm must navigate to reach an ovum, but which, at fertile times, assists them by sperm-friendly modification of the secretions from its lining. In the event of pregnancy, the cervix remains a narrow channel until the final weeks: then the muscle of the wall thins out, allowing descent of the infant's head into the pelvis. During the first stage of labour the opening into the vagina enlarges; when it is ‘fully dilated’ the second stage begins, heralding descent of the fetus into the vagina. The cervix is one of the common sites for cancer, hence the advisability of regular cervical smears.
Stuart Judge See cervical smear; labour; pregnancy; uterus; urogenital system. |
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Cite this article
COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "cervix." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "cervix." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-cervix.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "cervix." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-cervix.html |
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cervix
cer·vix / ˈsərviks/ • n. (pl. -vices / -vəˌsēz/ ) the narrow necklike passage forming the lower end of the uterus. ∎ technical the neck. ∎ a part of other bodily organs resembling a neck. |
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"cervix." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cervix." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cervix.html "cervix." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cervix.html |
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cervix
cervix A narrow or necklike part of an organ. The cervix of the uterus (cervix uteri) leads to the vagina. Glands in its walls produce mucus, whose viscosity changes according to the oestrous cycle. During labour, the cervix enlarges greatly to allow passage of the fetus.
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Cite this article
"cervix." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cervix." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cervix.html "cervix." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cervix.html |
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cervix
cervix (ser-viks) n. a necklike part. c. uteri the neck of the uterus, which at its lower end projects into the vagina and contains the cervical canal.
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"cervix." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cervix." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-cervix.html "cervix." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-cervix.html |
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cervix
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"cervix." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cervix." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cervix.html "cervix." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cervix.html |
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cervix
cervix
•admix, affix, commix, fix, Hicks, intermix, MI6, mix, nix, Nyx, pix, Pnyx, prix fixe, pyx, Ricks, six, Styx, transfix, Wicks
•Aquarobics • radix • appendix
•crucifix • suffix • Alex • calyx
•Felix, helix
•kylix • Horlicks • prolix • spondulicks
•hydromechanics • phoenix
•Ebonics, onyx
•mechatronics • sardonyx
•Paralympics • semi-tropics
•subtropics • Hendrix
•dominatrix, matrix
•administratrix • oryx • tortrix
•executrix • Beatrix • cicatrix
•Essex, Wessex
•kinesics • coccyx • Sussex
•informatics, mathematics
•Dianetics • geopolitics • bioethics
•cervix • astrophysics • yikes
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Cite this article
"cervix." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cervix." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cervix.html "cervix." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cervix.html |
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