The human cervix: Comprehensive review of innervation and clinical significance

• Published in: Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 118 - 127
• Main Authors: Giovannetti, Olivia, Tomalty, Diane, Velikonja, Leah, Jurkus, Connor, Adams, Michael A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.01.2023; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: anatomy; Cervix; Cervix Uteri; Clinical Relevance; Clinical significance; Dysplasia; Female; Histology; Humans; Innervation; Parasympathetic nervous system; physiological; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; sexual dysfunctions; surgery; uterine cervical dysplasia; uterine cervical dysplasia; sexual dysfunctions; cervix uteri; anatomy; innervation; physiological; surgery
• ISSN: 0897-3806; 1098-2353
• DOI: 10.1002/ca.23960

Detailed knowledge regarding the innervation and histology of the human cervix is crucial given the surgical removal of this tissue for conditions such as cervical dysplasia. Recent evidence implicates the cervix in the sexual response, making it pertinent to characterize this region to elucidate its role. Despite this, literature describing the overall innervation of the cervix from anatomical and histological perspectives is lacking. The aim of this review was to consolidate descriptions pertaining to human cervix innervation and discuss possible mechanisms of dysfunction, as an unintended result of cervix removal. A detailed literature search of relevant articles describing human cervix innervation was conducted. 1597 articles were screened based on the keywords searched. Only 16 articles, containing information regarding specific evidence of the innervation of the human cervix, were included and categorized based on parameters of innervation (method, type, location). The published evidence demonstrates that the human cervix has sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory innervation, but does not characterize changes after surgical procedures. Despite the gaps in knowledge, it is relevant that associations linking clinical procedures, involving cervical removal and adverse sexual health outcomes, become an important focus for discussions between physicians and patients. Future work is needed to better detail the affected innervation as well as the neural pathway‐specific relationship to symptoms of sexual dysfunction.