In everyday life, the term "cervix" is more often used, implying a channel under it. However, anatomically, the cervical canal is only part of the cervix, the very opening that connects the uterine cavity with the vagina. It opens with an external yaw directly into the vagina, and the inner - into the uterus.
What are the functions of the cervical canal?
Having examined the external structure of the cervical canal, it is necessary to say about its functions. First of all, this is the protection of the uterus from various kinds of infections and pathogens.
As you know, in the vagina there is a huge number of microorganisms, in some cases, pathogenic. However, the uterine cavity remains always sterile. This is due to cells located directly in the cervical channel. It is they who produce mucus, whose properties vary depending on the phase of the cycle.
So, at its beginning and end, a rather viscous mucus, which has an acidic environment, stands out. Most microorganisms die in such conditions. In addition, such a medium prevents penetration of the spermatozoon into the uterine cavity, which under its influence lose their mobility. In the middle of the menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen in the blood rises, which leads to the fact that the mucus changes its environment to alkaline, becomes more liquid. It is at this time that the male sex cells get a chance to get into the uterine cavity and fertilize the egg cell.
With the onset of pregnancy, under the action of progesterone, mucus becomes more ductile, and forms a stopper, which reliably protects the embryo from getting infection from the outside. Thus, the separated cervical canal is nothing more than mucus.
What are the pathologies of the cervical canal?
Normally, the cervix is closed. Its disclosure occurs only before the onset of the generic process. However, not all women, after hearing from a gynecologist on a preventive examination, the phrase that the cervical canal is closed know that this is the norm. In practice, not always the case, and there are deviations. These include congenital anomalies:
- development of 2 cervical canals;
- infection of the cervical canal.
The last violation occurs much more often. In this case, the correct communication between the vagina and the uterine cavity is violated. At the same time they say that the cervical canal is closed, once again pointing out that this is a pathology. In most cases, the disease is asymptomatic and does not make itself felt. However, with the onset of the period of puberty, girls with such a violation begin to complain about the prolonged absence of menstruation. As a result, the blood begins to accumulate inside the uterus without leaving the outside, which can lead to sad consequences. The only solution to the problem situation is
Separately it is necessary to say about when the cervical canal is enlarged, because not everyone knows what this can mean. A similar phenomenon is usually observed in pregnant women, immediately before childbirth. Approximately a week, the neck begins to open slightly, because of what the channel expands. If this phenomenon is observed earlier, a woman is hospitalized because of the threat of miscarriage.
In the event that a similar situation is observed in non-pregnant women, treatment is prescribed, in which hormonal drugs are used that increase the tone of the uterine myometrium and close the neck canal.