cervicaal

Cervicaal is a medical adjective used to denote relation to the neck or to the cervix. In English, the corresponding term is cervical. The word appears across medical disciplines, notably anatomy, gynecology, dentistry, and radiology.

In anatomical use, cervic-al refers to the cervical region, the neck area. The cervical spine comprises seven vertebrae (C1–C7) that support the head and enable a wide range of motion. The cervical region also contains muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes and is commonly evaluated in clinical examinations and imaging.

In gynecology, cervix denotes the cervix uteri, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical health is a major area of screening, with Pap tests and HPV testing used to detect precancerous changes and cervical cancer. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) reduces risk.

In dentistry and dental anatomy, the term cervical describes the region near the cementoenamel junction where the crown meets the root. Cervical recession or cervical lesions are terms used to describe issues at this boundary that affect periodontal health.

In imaging and clinical practice, the term is used to describe findings related to the cervical spine or cervical region, with radiographic or MRI reports distinguishing cervical from thoracic or other areas.

Note: The spelling cervicaal reflects Dutch usage; in English, cervical is the standard form. Context usually clarifies whether the reference is to the neck or to the cervix.