cervix

[sur-viks] /ˈsɜr vɪks/
noun, plural cervixes, cervices
[ser-vahy-seez, sur-vuh-seez] /sərˈvaɪ siz, ˈsɜr vəˌsiz/ (Show IPA). Anatomy
1.
the neck, especially the back part.
2.
any necklike part, especially the constricted lower end of the uterus.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English < Latin cervīx neck, nape, uterine cervix
Related forms
cervical
[sur-vi-kuh l] /ˈsɜr vɪ kəl/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for cervix
  • One improvement could be flexible rings that sit at the neck of the cervix and release microbicidal drugs for several weeks.
  • It's neither difficult nor prohibitively expensive nor dangerous to swab a cervix or perform a mammogram.
  • Cervical dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix that are seen underneath a microscope.
  • Tests have shown that this arrangement for illuminating the cervix is better than either a candle or an angle-poise lamp.
  • It uses a light and a low-powered microscope to make the cervix appear much larger.
  • It is a cancer of the epithelial tissue of the cervix.
  • In a cervical punch biopsy, the cervix may be stained with iodine solution in order to see abnormalities better.
  • Small sticks called laminaria are placed into the cervix to help it open.
  • Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.
  • The resident gynecologist sewed radium to her cervix in an attempt to knock out the cancer that was killing her.
British Dictionary definitions for cervix

cervix

/ˈsɜːvɪks/
noun (pl) cervixes, cervices (səˈvaɪsiːz)
1.
the technical name for neck
2.
any necklike part of an organ, esp the lower part of the uterus that extends into the vagina
Word Origin
C18: from Latin
Word Origin and History for cervix
n.

early 15c., "ligament in the neck," from Latin cervix "the neck, nape of the neck," from PIE *kerw-o-, from root *ker- (see horn (n.)). Applied to various neck-like structures of the body, especially that of the uterus (by 1702), where it is shortened from medical Latin cervix uteri (17c.). Sometimes in medical writing 18c.-19c. cervix of the uterus to distinguish it from the neck sense.

cervix in Medicine

cervix cer·vix (sûr'vĭks)
n. pl. cer·vix·es or cer·vi·ces (sûr'vĭ-sēz', sər-vī'sēz)

  1. The neck.

  2. See collum.

  3. A neck-shaped anatomical structure, such as the narrow outer end of the uterus.

cervix in Science
cervix
  (sûr'vĭks)   
A neck-shaped anatomical structure, especially the narrowed, lower end of the uterus that extends into the vagina.
cervix in Culture
cervix [(sur-viks)]

The narrow outer end of the uterus. A portion of the cervix extends into the vagina. (See reproductive systems.)