Browse A-Z
More <
bookmarks-menu

Cervix

The cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters (1 to 1.3 inches) long. The cervical canal passes through the cervix. It allows blood from a menstrual period and a baby (fetus) to pass from the womb into the vagina. Sperm travel from the vagina up the cervical canal into the uterine cavity, then into the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg.

Conditions that affect the cervix include:

Cervical cancer screening involves a Pap smear and an HPV test. For both these tests, the cells are taken from the cervix. A Pap test checks for premalignant (precancerous) changes in the cervix, and the HPV test checks for infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) that may lead to cervical cancer.

Review Date: 1/1/2025

Reviewed By

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 08/12/2025.

References

Baggish MS. Anatomy of the cervix. In: Baggish MS, Karram MM, eds. Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 42.

Cervix. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 24th ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2021. www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/763678/all/cervix. Accessed December 17, 2024.

National Cancer Institute website. NCI dictionaries. Cervix. www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cervix. Accessed January 7, 2025.

National Cancer Institute website. Cervical cancer screening. www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/screening. Updated February 13, 2025. Accessed August 12, 2025.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- 2025 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Images
Female reproductive anatomy - Illustration Thumbnail

Female reproductive anatomy

Internal structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the uterus, ovaries, and cervix. External structures include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris.

Illustration

Uterus - Illustration Thumbnail

Uterus

The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth.

Illustration

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
URAC Seal
Health Content Provider
06/01/2028
A.D.A.M., Inc. is certified by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's certification program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy.
© 1997-2025ADAM Company Logo All rights reserved.