cervical

Everyday

1. (medicine) Cervical means to do with the neck, as in «cervical vertebrae», the bones in your neck. tree →
2. (medicine) Cervical also means to do with the cervix, the narrow opening of a woman's womb (uterus), as in a «cervical screening» test. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the skeleton, the cervical vertebrae are the seven bones of the neck; almost all mammals, even giraffes, have seven. In health lessons and adult life, cervical screening is a check that women are invited to have to help stop cancer early, and there is a vaccine (HPV) that helps protect against cervical cancer. Phrases: «cervical spine», «cervical collar», «cervical screening».

Examples

• The neck has seven cervical vertebrae. tree →
• A giraffe has the same number of cervical bones as a mouse. tree →
• After the car crash, he wore a cervical collar to protect his neck. tree →
• Mum went for her cervical screening test at the doctor's. tree →
• The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer. tree →
• The X-ray showed his cervical spine was fine. tree →

Note

Adjective only. Pronounced «SER-vi-kul» (UK also «ser-VY-kul»). It is a medical word; in everyday talk say «neck». Do not confuse with «circle» or «surgical».