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Cervical Softening - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 22:39, 6 August 2011
, 22:39, 6 August 2011→Introduction=
==Introduction===
==Introduction==
The basic function of the [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]] during pregnancy is to retain the foetus within the uterus and to maintain the internal environment of the uterus by preventing the external environment accessing the uterus. Therefore the cervix regulates the passage to and from the uterine cavity. This ensures that any micro-organisms within the external environment are unable to access the uterus. During pregnancy the [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology|uterine body]] becomes distended whilst stretch resistant tissues allow the cervix to be maintained in a closed state. For the foetus to move out of the uterus, the cervix must soften or 'ripen'.
The basic function of the [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]] during pregnancy is to retain the foetus within the uterus and to maintain the internal environment of the uterus by preventing the external environment accessing the uterus. Therefore the cervix regulates the passage to and from the uterine cavity. This ensures that any micro-organisms within the external environment are unable to access the uterus. During pregnancy the [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology|uterine body]] becomes distended whilst stretch resistant tissues allow the cervix to be maintained in a closed state. For the foetus to move out of the uterus, the cervix must soften or 'ripen'.
==Cervix Structure==
==Cervix Structure==
The cervix has only a small amount of musculature and is mainly composed of '''collagen fibre bundles''' and '''proteoglycan matrices'''. The collagen fibres are helical strands of amino acids bound together to form fibrils whilst the proteoglycan matrix are made up of a protein core with '''Glycosaminoglycan''' branches or '''GAGs'''. GAGs determine the degree of collagen fibre aggregation. An increased GAG content reduces collagen aggregation and vice versa.
The cervix has only a small amount of musculature and is mainly composed of '''collagen fibre bundles''' and '''proteoglycan matrices'''. The collagen fibres are helical strands of amino acids bound together to form fibrils whilst the proteoglycan matrix are made up of a protein core with '''Glycosaminoglycan''' branches or '''GAGs'''. GAGs determine the degree of collagen fibre aggregation. An increased GAG content reduces collagen aggregation and vice versa.