Whatever and whenever we desired a function from it, it complies. For example, in pregnancy, we want that the organ should remain closed, it remains so, as soon as labour starts we want, it should dilate as quickly as possible and we desire that it should forego its identity, it does so, it completely dilates and merges with the uterus. We want that it should come back to its former form in puerpureim, it comes back to its original state. Gone are the days when only we relied on Bishops score to know the same. On the other hand we expect it should not allow any organisms to pass through it, but allow only the sperm so that it can fertilize the ovum. Strangely it complies to this wish too. What a strange organ !!!. Remodeling of the cervix has gone a sea change due to advancement of molecular biology of the cervix. Similarly our understanding of cancer cervix has made a somersault. For the last so many decades, we are proving that it is an infective condition caused by a sexually transmitted virus, the HPV virus. What baffled me while editing the book is that I was ignorant about so many aspects of cervix. The molecular biology of cervix during pregnancy and labour is progressing in a tremendous rate. We are rewriting cancer cervix. First it was known that it is an infective viral disease, then the preventing vaccines are coming one by one. Now there are so many therapeutic vaccines in several phases of trials to treat the disease along with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is difficult to keep pace with the developments. I have tried my best to incorporate all the advancement in the cervix to a certain point of time. Please bear with me if there is some lacunae somewhere.

This text spans everything from embryology to the emotional trauma women undergo when their cervix is removed at hysterectomy. Essential for gynecologists, oncologists, basic scientists, GPs, nurses, colposcopy practitioners. This is the only definitive major clinical reference book published on the cervix.

I hope and believe that like our previous books, The Uterus, The Fallopian Tubes, Tuberculosis Manual for Obstreticians and Gynaecologists, this book will be liked by all of you, whatever you wanted to know is under one cover. Happy reading !

I am very grateful to Shri Jitendar P Vij (Group Chairman), Mr Ankit Vij (Group President), Ms Ritu Sharma (Director-Contents Strategy), Ms Chetna Malhotra (Associate Director-Contents Strategy), Ms Sunita Katla (PA to Group Chairman and Publishing Manager), Mr KK Raman (Production Manager) and the whole team of M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, India, for their excellent professionalism, and presentation of the book. I am also thankful to my daughters Susandhya and Susnigdha, son–in-law Abhisek and brother Srikrishna, for their constant help and tolerance, the time I spent, is their time.