What does cervical length mean?

Cervical length refers to the length of the cervix from the internal to the external os. Cervical length is an important indicator for pregnant women. Normal cervical length helps maintain pregnancy stability during pregnancy. If cervical length is too short, especially in the second and third trimester, it may increase the risk of premature delivery. Cervical length can be measured by ultrasound to assess and predict the risk of preterm birth, so that interventions such as bed rest and uterine contractions inhibitors can be taken to reduce the risk of preterm birth. Abnormal cervical length can be associated with certain diseases. For example, cervical insufficiency can cause premature dilation and shortening of the cervix, leading to repeated miscarriages or preterm births during pregnancy. In addition, some gynecological diseases such as cervical cancer may also affect the shape and length of the cervix. Therefore, accurate measurement of cervical length has certain reference value for the diagnosis of these diseases. In addition, in some cases, cervical length can guide the formulation of treatment programs. For example, for pregnant women with risk factors for premature delivery, cervical length can determine whether treatment such as cervical cerclage is needed to improve the success rate of pregnancy. At the same time, for some gynecological diseases, knowing cervical length can also help assess the difficulty and risk of surgery.