[Plethysmogram of the human uterine cervix in late pregnancy--with special reference to maturation of the cervix].
Plethysmograms of the human pregnant uterine cervix have been recorded to elucidate same facets of the local hemodynamics in terms of the characteristic plethysmographic patterns referable to cervical maturation in late pregnancy. The author has developed a transparent type of transducer by which the plethysmograms have been able to be recorded serially from the entire tissue layer of the cervical wall. With this method, it has also been possible to calibrate quantitatively and to analyze the wave patterns in the same way as with finger tip plethysmography. A monophasic plethysmogram pattern is peculiar to the cervix of non-pregnant women. With the progress of pregnancy, it has been observed frequently that the wave height has become low with fine oscillations in the descending phase of waves. These changes found in late pregnancy have disappeared immediately in the early stage of puerperium. The characteristic patterns of plethysmogram in late pregnancy were classified into four types, A, B, C and D. In late pregnancy, when the cervix reached mature status, types C and D, lower height of waves showing a plateau pattern, with fine oscillations in the descending phase of waves, have been observed frequently. From these observations, it would appear that this characteristic plethysmographic pattern indicates the matured cervix prepared for labor. The plethysmographic changes of pregnant cervix with special reference to the histological characteristics of pregnant cervix have been discussed.
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010991:Plethysmography; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011674:Pulse