cervical

IPA/ˈsɜːvɪkl/
KK[sˈɚvəkəl]IPA/ˈsɜːrvɪkl/

cervical — adjective

  • cervicalpositive
  • more cervicalcomparative
  • most cervicalsuperlative

1. involving or connected to the cervix, which is the narrow lower section of the w

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

involving or connected to the cervix, which is the narrow lower section of the womb that opens into the vagina.

Example

Doctors recommend regular cervical screening to detect early signs of cancer.

collocation: cervical screening / cervical cancer

Hana's gynaecologist pointed out the cervical canal on the ultrasound monitor.

collocation: cervical canal

Common collocations
  • cervical cancer
  • cervical screening
  • cervical smear
  • cervical canal
  • cervical cells
  • cervical biopsy

Grammar Patterns

cervical + noun

Usage Note

In medical writing, this sense typically appears before a noun that names a part of the female reproductive system (cervical canal, cervical smear, cervical cancer). Context — such as words like 'uterus', 'womb', or 'smear test' — signals that this sense is intended rather than the neck-bone sense.

Common Mistakes

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her neck.
She was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which affects the lower part of the uterus.
Cervical cancer is a disease of the cervix, not of the neck bones.
A cervical collar helped support her cervix after surgery.
A cervical collar helped support her neck after surgery.
A cervical collar supports the neck, not the cervix. The two senses are easily confused.

2. describing the seven small vertebrae situated inside the neck, which form the up

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

describing the seven small vertebrae situated inside the neck, which form the uppermost portion of the spine.

Example

Rohan learned in anatomy class that the cervical spine has seven vertebrae supporting the skull.

collocation: cervical spine / cervical vertebrae

After the car accident, Kofi wore a soft cervical collar to keep his neck still.

collocation: cervical collar

Common collocations
  • cervical spine
  • cervical vertebrae
  • cervical collar
  • cervical disc
  • cervical fusion
  • cervical radiculopathy

Grammar Patterns

cervical + noun

Usage Note

This sense appears in orthopedics, neurology, and physiotherapy contexts. Typical noun partners include 'spine', 'vertebrae', 'disc', 'collar', 'fusion', 'radiculopathy', and 'fracture'. If the surrounding text mentions 'neck', 'shoulder', or 'spine', this sense is almost certainly intended.

Common Mistakes

After the accident, he injured his cervical spine, meaning the bones in his lower back.
After the accident, he injured his cervical spine, meaning the bones in his neck.
The cervical spine is the neck portion of the spine, not the lower back.
The doctor ordered a cervical MRI to check her uterus.
The doctor ordered a pelvic MRI to check her uterus.
A cervical MRI images the neck vertebrae; for the cervix, a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound is more typical.

Word family

  • cervix
    nounC1
  • cervical cancer
    nounC1
  • cervical spine
    nounC1
  • cervical vertebrae
    nounC1
  • cervicitis
    nounC2

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'cervix' (neck) plus the adjective suffix '-al'. The word entered English in the early 1600s and originally meant 'relating to the neck' in a general sense. Over time, medical usage split: one branch kept the original 'neck' meaning for the cervical vertebrae, while another applied 'cervix' specifically to the narrow neck-like lower part of the uterus. Today both senses are entirely separate in clinical practice.