Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

ophthalmiaor, less commonly, pneumo-

niadue to chlamydial infection.

Treatment is with antibioticsor with

antiviral drugs. If symptoms persist, the

inflamed area of cervix may be cauter-

ized by electrocoagulation, cryotherapy,

or laser treatment.

cervixA small, cylindrical organ compris-

ing the lower part and neck of the uterus

and separating the body and cavity of

the uterus from the vagina. The fibrous

and smooth muscle tissue of the cervix

creates a form of sphincter, which can

stretch during pregnancy and childbirth.

The cervical canal runs through the

cervix and allows the passage of blood

during menstruationand of sperm from

the vagina into the uterus; it also forms

part of the birth canal during childbirth.

After puberty, mucus is secreted from

the glandular cells in the canal to assist

sperm entry into the upper cervix.

cervix, cancer ofOne of the most com-

mon cancers affecting women worldwide.

Cancer of the cervixhas well-defined

precancerous stages (see cervical dys-

plasia) that can be detected by a cervical

smear test, allowing, in many cases, early

treatment and a complete cure. Un-

treated, cancer of the cervix may spread

to the organs in the pelvis.

There are 2 main types of cervical can-

cer: the squamous type is the most

common and is thought to be associated

with the human papilloma virus, acquired

during sexual intercourse. Factors that

predispose to this type of cancer are

smoking, starting to have sex at an early

age, and having many sexual partners.

The second, rarer, type of cervical cancer,

adenocarcinoma, sometimes occurs in

women who have never had sexual

intercourse. Its causes are unclear.

Symptoms do not develop until the

condition is advanced, when there is

vaginal bleeding or a bloodstained dis-

charge at unexpected times, and pain if

the cancer has spread within the pelvis.

Following an abnormal smear test

result, colposcopyor a cone biopsymay

be carried out to diagnose the condition.

A localized early cancer may be destroyed

by electrocoagulation, diathermy, laser

treatment, or cryosurgery. If the cancer

has spread into the cervical canal, a cone

biopsy may be sufficient to remove all

the diseased tissue. In more advanced

cases affecting the pelvic organs, radio-

therapymay be given. Radical surgery,

in which the bladder, vagina, cervix,

uterus, and rectum are removed, may

be recommended in certain cases.

cervix, disorders ofThe cervixis sus-

ceptible to injuries, infections, tumours,

and other conditions. Minor injury to

the cervix may occur during childbirth,

particularly if labour is prolonged. Per-

sistent damage to muscle fibres as a

result of injury may lead to cervical

incompetence. Cervical erosion is a con-

dition in which mucus-secreting cells

form on the outside of the cervix.

The most common cervical infections

are sexually transmitted, such as gon-

orrhoea, chlamydial infections, and

trichomoniasis.Viral infections of the

cervix include those due to the human

papilloma virus and the herpes simplex

virus (see warts, genital; herpes, genital).

Polypsare noncancerous growths on the

cervix. Cancerous growths (see cervix,

cancer of) are preceded by changes in the

surface cells (cervical dysplasias), which

can be detected by a cervical smear test.

cestodesThe scientific name for tape-

worms (see tapeworm infestation).

cetirizineAn antihistamine drugused to

relieve the symptoms of conditions such

as allergic rhinitis(hay fever) and urticaria.

cetrimideAn antisepticused in prepara-

tionsfor cleansing the skin.

Chagas’ diseaseAn infectious parasitic

disease found only in parts of South

and Central America that is spread by

CERVIX CHAGAS’ DISEASE

C

Ovary

Uterus

Fallopian

tube

Cervix

CERVIX

Vagina

Bladder