“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina. It is sometimes referred to as the neck of the uterus. The cervix is cylindrical in shape and has a small opening called the cervical os that allows for the passage of menstrual blood and sperm.
The cervix plays an important role in reproduction. During pregnancy, the cervix remains closed to keep the developing fetus inside the uterus. During labor, the cervix dilates (opens up) to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.
The cervix is also important for cervical cancer screening. Pap tests are performed to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that may indicate the presence of cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can also help prevent cervical cancer by protecting against certain types of HPV that can cause the disease.