Phenomena and Processes

Cervical Ripening

A change in the CERVIX UTERI with respect to its readiness to relax. The cervix normally becomes softer, more flexible, more distensible, and shorter in the final weeks of PREGNANCY. These cervical changes can also be chemically induced (LABOR, INDUCED).

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A change in the CERVIX UTERI with respect to its readiness to relax. The cervix normally becomes softer, more flexible, more distensible, and shorter in the final weeks of PREGNANCY. These cervical changes can also be chemically induced (LABOR, INDUCED).

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Cervical Ripenings
  • Ripening, Cervical
  • Ripenings, Cervical

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

11 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, drug effects, ethnology, genetics, immunology, metabolism, physiology, psychology, radiation effects, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

1999

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Cervix Uteri (1976-1998)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G08.686.784w.769w.326.100w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Cervical Ripening. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D020070. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D020070
  2. Cervical Ripening. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_effacement
  3. Cervical Ripening. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5065332