Cervical Stiffness Evaluated In Vivo by Endoflip in Pregnant Women
Figure 5
Geometric and biomechanical properties of the uterine cervix of an early-pregnant woman (left column, A–D) and term-pregnant woman with an unripe cervix (right column, E–H).
A and E) Spatio-temporal diameter plots. The black line illustrates the volume of the bag (ml), the white line the pressure inside the bag (mmHg), and the colors spanning from blue to red illustrate the magnitude of diameters obtained in the measurement area. B and F) The cervical canal configuration generated at distension volume 2 ml (blue line) and 45 ml (red line). The black dots represent the internal and external cervical os of the uterine cervix. C and G) Pressure-diameter plot. The pressure-diameter relationship for three locations representing the uterus-near part (blue line), the middle part (red line), and the vaginal part (green line) of the uterine cervix. The black dots represent the linear part of the curve. D and H) Pressure-strain elastic modulus plot. The pressure-strain elastic modulus distribution along the cervical canal.