| cervical cyst | Also called a branchial cleft cyst, this is a cavity that is a remnant from embryologic development present at birth in one side of the neck just in front of the large angulated muscle on either side (the sternocleidomastoid muscle). The cyst may not be recognised until adolescence as it enlarges its oval shape. It may develop a sinus or drainage pathway to the surface of the skin from which mucus can be expressed. Total surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Recurrence is not expected. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| cervical disc herniation | <radiology> C6-7 (69%), C5-6 (19%), C7-T1 (10%), C4-5 (2%) see: degenerative disc disease (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical disc syndrome | <syndrome> Pain, paresthesias, and sometimes weakness in the area of the distribution of one or more cervical roots, due to pressure of a protruded cervical intervertebral disc. Synonym: cervical compression syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical diverticulum | A diverticulum in the neck derived from retention of part of one of the pharyngeal pouches (endodermal) or branchial grooves (ectodermal) of the embryo. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical duct | See: cervical diverticulum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical dysplasia | A term which describes precancerous changes to the epithelial cells lining the cervix. The diagnosis is made from the microscopic examination of a PAP smear acquired tissue specimen. Less than 5% of all PAP smears will show cervical dysplasia. The peak incidence is in women 25 to 35 years of age. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, early onset of sexual activity (less than 18), early childbearing (less than 16) and past medical history of a sexually transmitted disease (for example genital warts, genital herpes, HIV infection). Treatment is based on the degree of dysplasia present, as judged by a pathologist. Treatments include cryotherapy and conisation. Origin: Gr. Plassein = to form (27 Sep 1997) |
| cervical dystocia | Difficult labour and delivery caused by mechanical obstruction at the cervix. Dystocia comes from the Greek dys meaning difficult, painful, disordered, abnormal + tokos meaning birth. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical enlargement | A spindle-shaped swelling of the spinal cord extending from the third cervical to the second thoracic vertebra, with maximum thickness opposite the fifth or sixth cervical vertebra, consequential to the innervation of the upper limb. Synonym: intumescentia cervicalis, cervical enlargement of spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical enlargement of spinal cord | A spindle-shaped swelling of the spinal cord extending from the third cervical to the second thoracic vertebra, with maximum thickness opposite the fifth or sixth cervical vertebra, consequential to the innervation of the upper limb. Synonym: intumescentia cervicalis, cervical enlargement of spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical erosion | A partial or complete absence of the mucosa which normally covers the cervix. These lesions or ulcers, may occur as the result of trauma (for example intercourse, tampon insertion), infection or chemicals (for example spermicidal creams or foams, douches). There appears to be a increased risk of cervical erosion with vaginal use of chemical agents or those with multiple sex partners. Symptoms of cervical erosion include vaginal bleeding and post-coital bleeding. Often there may be no symptoms at all. Erosions or ulcerations of the cervix are generally noted on the pelvic examination and can be an indicator of cervical cancer. For this reason a PAP smear will be recommended. most cervical erosions will heal spontaneously without intervention. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cervical fibrositis | <syndrome> A clinical complex of pain, tenderness, tight neck musculature, vasomotor instability, and ill-defined symptoms such as dizziness and blurred vision as the result of trauma to the neck. Also variously termed occipital or suboccipital neuralgia or neuritis; cervical tension syndrome; cervical myospasm, myositis, or fibrositis. Synonym: cervical fibrositis, cervical tension syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical flexure | The ventrally concave bend at the juncture of the brainstem and spinal cord in the embryo. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical fusion syndrome | <syndrome> Fused vertebrae, especially cervical spine (C3-C4), elevation of scapula (Sprengel deformity), omocervical bones, GU abnormalities (66%), renal agenesis (33%), deafness (33%) (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical glands | See: anterior cervical lymph nodes, lateral deep cervical lymph nodes, lateral superficial cervical lymph nodes. Branched mucus-secreting glands in the mucosa of the cervix. Synonym: glandulae cervicales uteri, cervical glands of uterus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical glands of uterus | See: anterior cervical lymph nodes, lateral deep cervical lymph nodes, lateral superficial cervical lymph nodes. Branched mucus-secreting glands in the mucosa of the cervix. Synonym: glandulae cervicales uteri, cervical glands of uterus. (05 Mar 2000) |