In biology and medicine, epithelium is a tissue composed of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body. The cervix is no exception. It too is covered by the epithelium, which is made of a thin layer of either squamous or columnar cells. The functions of epithelial cells include secretion, absorption, protection, transcellular transport, sensation detection, and selective permeability.

What Does The Cervix Do?

The cervix is normally about 1" long and closed. During non-pregnant and most of pregnancy, it is firm like the end of your nose. Glands within the walls of the cervical canal produce mucous that bathes and lubricates the walls inside the vagina.

During pregnancy, the cervical mucus collects and seals the opening of the cervix to provide a protective barrier for the developing baby from bacteria and infection. This is called the mucus plug.

When hormones prepare the woman for labor, the cervix becomes soft like your lips. It will open up, or dilate and thin out, efface. The plug will fall out and discharge.

When the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm or about 4") and totally thinned out, the mother will begin to feel an urge to push. As the baby moves down into the vagina, the vagina will open up around the baby's head. After the birth, the cervix will close up and begin to thicken and firm again.

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Incompetent Cervix during childbirth- During pregnancy, as the baby grows and gets heavier, it presses on the cervix. This pressure may cause the cervix to start to open before the baby is ready to be born. This condition is called incompetent cervix or weakened cervix and it may lead to a miscarriage or premature delivery. However, an incompetent cervix happens in only about 1 out of 100 pregnancies. It is generally categorized as premature opening of the cervix without labor or contractions.

Cervical Erosion occurs when the cells on the inside of the cervix start to grow on the outside. There are usually no symptoms, although occasionally, the condition may cause a whitish or slightly bloody vaginal discharge. What causes cervical erosion is not always clear however, the friction of intercourse appears to be a factor as well as the contraceptive pill and IUD. 

Cervical Stenosis is another condition involving the cervix. It is partial or total narrowing of the cervix, which can lead to obstruction and cervical incompetence, the premature opening of the cervix during pregnancy, which creates a high risk of miscarriage.   

 Cervical Cysts occur without symptoms and require no treatment.Cysts and polyps may form on the cervix. Cervical polyps are also usually harmless, although they may cause irregular bleeding and discharge. Polyps can be removed surgically because of the uncomfortable presence of irregular bleeding and they may affect fertility.

Cervical polyps often develop after an infection as the body grows new cells to cover the old, inflamed ones or they can develop due to hormonal changes. 

Dysplasia is another potentially serious cervical condition. It describes the abnormal development of cervical cells. Dysplasia is considered a pre-cancerous condition because, if untreated, it leads to cervical cancer in 30 to 50 percent of cases. Although cervical dysplasia strikes women of all ages, it most commonly afflicts women aged 25 to 35. The only way to detect the condition is with a Pap smear test.

Cervical dysplasia is caused by a subtype of the human papilloma virus, which also causes cervical cancer, but not everyone who is exposed to the virus develops dysplasia or cancer, indicating that other factors are also at work.

Genital warts can also infect the cervix. These warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, and there are many subtypes, several of which are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Be Aware 

If at any time the vaginal discharge (wetness) changes in amount, colour, or odour from whatever is normal for you, let a doctor check you to be sure there isn't an infection happening. Certain infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, and other STIs can cause changes in vaginal discharge.

A regular Pap test is the key to cervical health. Your first pap should be done:
a) if you take the birth control pill,
b) if you are sexually active, or
c) once you are 18 years old, whichever happens first!

The Pap test shows any precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix, long before actual invasive cancer develops. To know more about these changes, see Abnormal Pap Tests.