Difference between revisions of "Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology"
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− | {{ | + | {{toplink |
+ | |backcolour =EED2EE | ||
+ | |linkpage =Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology | ||
+ | |linktext =Reproductive System | ||
+ | |maplink = Reproductive System (Content Map) - Anatomy & Physiology | ||
+ | |pagetype =Anatomy | ||
+ | |sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Female Reproductive Tract | ||
+ | |subtext1=FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | |||
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
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==Structure== | ==Structure== | ||
− | * The | + | * The anatomy of the cervical canal is adapted to suit a particular pattern of reproduction |
− | * | + | * Thick-walled |
+ | * Non-compliant (firm) | ||
+ | * Mare and carnivores have a simple cervix bulging into the vagina to form a distinc recess (vaginal fornix). | ||
+ | * Lumen is the cervical canal | ||
+ | * Folds surround the lumen | ||
** Single fold and smooth surface in the queen and bitch | ** Single fold and smooth surface in the queen and bitch | ||
− | ** Multiple folds protruding into the cervical canal in the cow, ewe, sow and mare | + | ** Multiple folds protruding into the cervical canal in the cow, ewe, sow and mare |
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=== Cow and Ewe === | === Cow and Ewe === | ||
Line 18: | Line 28: | ||
* Multiple folds | * Multiple folds | ||
* Cervical rings form interlocking finger-like projections known as interdigitating prominences. | * Cervical rings form interlocking finger-like projections known as interdigitating prominences. | ||
− | * Elaborate system of folds and crypts to provide a site of storage where sperm are protected from the spermicidal environment of the vagina and | + | * Elaborate system of folds and crypts to provide a site of storage where sperm are protected from the spermicidal environment of the vagina and uterus in the ewe. |
− | * Allows semen to be ejaculated directly into the | + | * Allows semen to be ejaculated directly into the uterus for rapid transport to the oviducts in the cow. |
=== Sow === | === Sow === | ||
Line 25: | Line 35: | ||
* Less mucous secretion | * Less mucous secretion | ||
* Multiple folds | * Multiple folds | ||
− | * Cervical folds form rings (cervical rings) | + | * Cervical folds form rings (cervical rings) |
− | + | * Ensures a tight coupling of the penis with the cervix to ensure that the large volume of semen produced by the boar is deposited in the uterus. | |
− | * Ensures a tight coupling of the | ||
=== Mare === | === Mare === | ||
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* Low volume mucous secretion | * Low volume mucous secretion | ||
* Multiple folds | * Multiple folds | ||
− | * Many longitudinal folds of mucosa that protrude into the | + | * Many longitudinal folds of mucosa that protrude into the vagina (fornix vagina) |
* Soft during oestrus | * Soft during oestrus | ||
=== Bitch === | === Bitch === | ||
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* Single fold | * Single fold | ||
* Relatively smooth surface | * Relatively smooth surface | ||
+ | * A portion protrudes into the cranial vagina (fornix vagina). | ||
=== Queen === | === Queen === | ||
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* Small | * Small | ||
− | * Thick walled compared to the | + | * Thick walled compared to the uterus or vagina |
* Single fold | * Single fold | ||
* Smooth surface | * Smooth surface | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Function== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Provides a physical barrier to the uterus therefore preventing abortion due to infection by isolating the foetus from the external environment. It does this by creasing a highly viscous mucous plug. Closure is via the mucosal folds. | ||
+ | * Barrier to sperm transport in the ewe, cow, bitch and queen, but not in the sow and mare. | ||
+ | * Assists with the storage and survival of sperm by admitting sperm to the genital tract at a time when fertilisation is possible (around ovulation). | ||
+ | * Mucus production for lubrication and to prevent microorganisms from entering the uterus. | ||
+ | * Remodels itself at the end of gestation to allow birth and to stimulate the development of maternal behaviour. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Anatomical Boundaries== | ||
+ | *Located between the Uterus and the Vagina. | ||
==Histology== | ==Histology== | ||
− | [[Image:Ewe Cervix.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological Section of the Cervix of a Ewe- | + | [[Image:Ewe Cervix.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological Section of the Cervix of a Ewe- Courtesy of J.Bredl, Copyright RVC 2008]] |
− | [[Image:Ewe Cervical Lumen.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological Section of the Cervical Lumen of a Ewe- | + | [[Image:Ewe Cervical Lumen.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological Section of the Cervical Lumen of a Ewe- Courtesy of J.Bredl, Copyright RVC 2008]] |
− | * The lumen of the cervix is lined by a simple columnar epithelium containing many | + | * The lumen of the cervix is lined by a simple columnar epithelium containing many mucous producing cells. Some cilia may be seen on these cells. |
* Uterine cervix protrudes into the upper vagina and contains the endocervical canal that links the uterine cavity with the vagina. | * Uterine cervix protrudes into the upper vagina and contains the endocervical canal that links the uterine cavity with the vagina. | ||
* The endocervical canal is lined by a single layer of tall columnar mucus-secreting cells. | * The endocervical canal is lined by a single layer of tall columnar mucus-secreting cells. | ||
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*Uterine artery off the Internal Iliac artery (External Iliac artery in the Mare). | *Uterine artery off the Internal Iliac artery (External Iliac artery in the Mare). | ||
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Revision as of 11:47, 9 September 2008
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Introduction
Structure
- The anatomy of the cervical canal is adapted to suit a particular pattern of reproduction
- Thick-walled
- Non-compliant (firm)
- Mare and carnivores have a simple cervix bulging into the vagina to form a distinc recess (vaginal fornix).
- Lumen is the cervical canal
- Folds surround the lumen
- Single fold and smooth surface in the queen and bitch
- Multiple folds protruding into the cervical canal in the cow, ewe, sow and mare
Cow and Ewe
- High volume of mucous production
- Multiple folds
- Cervical rings form interlocking finger-like projections known as interdigitating prominences.
- Elaborate system of folds and crypts to provide a site of storage where sperm are protected from the spermicidal environment of the vagina and uterus in the ewe.
- Allows semen to be ejaculated directly into the uterus for rapid transport to the oviducts in the cow.
Sow
- Less mucous secretion
- Multiple folds
- Cervical folds form rings (cervical rings)
- Ensures a tight coupling of the penis with the cervix to ensure that the large volume of semen produced by the boar is deposited in the uterus.
Mare
- Low volume mucous secretion
- Multiple folds
- Many longitudinal folds of mucosa that protrude into the vagina (fornix vagina)
- Soft during oestrus
Bitch
- Single fold
- Relatively smooth surface
- A portion protrudes into the cranial vagina (fornix vagina).
Queen
- Small
- Thick walled compared to the uterus or vagina
- Single fold
- Smooth surface
Function
- Provides a physical barrier to the uterus therefore preventing abortion due to infection by isolating the foetus from the external environment. It does this by creasing a highly viscous mucous plug. Closure is via the mucosal folds.
- Barrier to sperm transport in the ewe, cow, bitch and queen, but not in the sow and mare.
- Assists with the storage and survival of sperm by admitting sperm to the genital tract at a time when fertilisation is possible (around ovulation).
- Mucus production for lubrication and to prevent microorganisms from entering the uterus.
- Remodels itself at the end of gestation to allow birth and to stimulate the development of maternal behaviour.
Anatomical Boundaries
- Located between the Uterus and the Vagina.
Histology
- The lumen of the cervix is lined by a simple columnar epithelium containing many mucous producing cells. Some cilia may be seen on these cells.
- Uterine cervix protrudes into the upper vagina and contains the endocervical canal that links the uterine cavity with the vagina.
- The endocervical canal is lined by a single layer of tall columnar mucus-secreting cells.
- Where the cervix is exposed to the vagina (the ectocervix), it is lined by thick stratified squamous epithelium.
- Cells of the ectocervix often have clear cytoplasm due to their high glycogen content.
- The junction between the vaginal and endocervical epithelium is abrupt, normally located at the external os. This is the point where the endocervical canal opens into the vagina.
- The main bulk of the cervix is composed of tough, collagenous tissue with relatively little smooth muscle.
- Under the squamocolumnar junction, the cervical stroma is infiltrated with leukocytes which defend against microorganisms.
- It is the cervical stroma that is influence by the ovarian hormones.
Vascularisation
- Uterine artery off the Internal Iliac artery (External Iliac artery in the Mare).