Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

cervical cancerSee cervix, cancer of.

cervical dysplasiaChanges in the sur-

face cells of the cervixthat may become

cancerous. There are 3 grades of cervical

dysplasia, mild, moderate, and severe,

based on the severity of the changes seen

in cells obtained from a cervical smear

test. Abnormalities can also be classified

as grades of cervical intraepithelial neo-

plasia. In mild dysplasia, abnormal cells

may return to a normal state without

treatment; severe dysplasia, left untreat-

ed, may progress to cervical cancer (see

cervix, cancer of).

The cause of cervical dysplasia is not

known, but risk factors include smoking

and unprotected sex at an early age or

with many partners. Treatment depends

on the severity of the condition. For mild

or moderate dysplasia, laser treatment,

freezing, or colposcopymay be used to

destroy the abnormal cells. Alternative-

ly, the cells may be surgically removed.

If the dysplasia is severe, an area of the

cervix is removed (see cone biopsy).

cervical erosionA condition affecting

the cervixin which a layer of mucus-

forming 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 experi-

ence 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

called the corpus callosum carries nerve

signals between the 2 hemispheres.

The outer surface layer of each hemi-

sphere is the cerebral cortex – the “grey

matter’’, where much of the sensory

information from organs such as the eyes

and ears is processed. Specific sensory

processing takes place in separate

regions. For example, visual perception

is located in a part of the occipital lobe

called the visual cortex.

The cortex also contains “motor’’ areas

concerned with the initiation of signals

for movement by the skeletal muscles.

Linked to the sensory and motor areas

of the cortex are association areas,

which integrate information from vari-

ous senses and also perform functions

such as comprehension and recognition,

memory storage and recall, thought and

decision making. Some of these cortical

functions are localized to one “domi-

nant’’ hemisphere (the left in almost all

right-handed and many left-handed peo-

ple). Two clearly defined areas in the

dominant hemisphere are Wernicke’s

area, responsible for the comprehen-

sion of words, and Broca’s area, which

is concerned with language expression.

certificationAn old term for procedures

to commit a person to be compulsorily

detained for mental health treatment.

cerumenThe substance commonly

called earwax.

cervicalRelating to the neck or to the

cervix.

CERTIFICATION CERVICAL EROSION

C

CERVICAL EROSION

LOCATION

Cervix

Extended

lining Vagina

Lining of

cervical canal

CEREBRUM

Occipital lobe

Temporal

lobe

Cerebrum

Cerebellum

Brain stem

Parietal

lobe

Frontal

lobe