Abstract
The human cervix can today be considered as a separate functional entity within the uterus in comparison with an earlier widespread opinion that this structure merely played a passive role secondarily to contractions of the uterine body. This new view is based upon investigations demonstrating that hormones and Prostaglandins are able to interfere with cervical connective tissue independently of myometrial activity (Schild et al., 1951; Novy and Liggins, 1980). Thus, Prostaglandins of both E- and F-series have been shown, in clinical studies, to act on the cervix apart from their effect on the myometrium (MacLennan and Green, 1979; Ulmsten, 1979; Forman et al., 1982). From these and other studies from our laboratory (Norström et al., 1981; Norström, 1982), it seems reasonable to suggest that PGs act directly on the fibrous connective tissue, which constitutes the major part of the cervix (Danforth, 1974; Hughesdon, 1952).
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Wilhelmsson, L., Norström, A., Tjugum, J., Hamberger, L. (1984). Interaction between prostaglandins and catecholamines on cervical collagen. In: Toppozada, M.K., Bygdeman, M., Hafez, E.S.E. (eds) Prostaglandins and Fertility Regulation. Advances in Reproductive Health Care, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5600-1_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5600-1_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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