The cervix maintains the fetus in situ during pregnancy and dilates during labour to allow
delivery of the baby. Congenital or iatrogenically-induced structural abnormalities of the
cervix are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. The role of cervical infection is
less clear. Cervical studies may be useful in the prediction of preterm delivery: both a
shortened cervical length identified on transvaginal ultrasound examination and an
increased level of fetal fibronectin in cervico-vaginal secretions are associated with an …