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The Cervix
The cervix is the lower pear-shaped structure at the base of the uterus. The cervix plays an important role in both pregnancy and birth. The size and shape of the cervix varies throughout a woman’s lifetime, particularly around the menarche, during pregnancy and after childbirth.
The lining of the cervix is made up of two types of epithelium, the outer squamous epithelium and the inner columnar epithelium, which meet at the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). As the size and shape of the cervix changes through a woman’s life, the location of the SCJ moves, as columnar epithelium is gradually replaced by squamous epithelium. The area of the cervix through which this SCJ moves is known as the transformation zone.
The immune system functions to prevent infection from invading pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, and to eliminate infection where it has occurred. The first line of defence is the innate immune system, which is rapid but non-specific. The second line of defence is the adaptive response, which is pathogen-specific and consists of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The adaptive immune system can remember pathogens so it can react quickly upon reinfection or organism recognition.