A<unk>  (operculum) is a<unk>  that fills and seals the cervical canal during pregnancy. It is formed by a small amount of cervical<unk> . The<unk> <unk>  acts as a protective barrier by deterring the passage of bacteria into the uterus, and contains a variety of antimicrobial agents, including immunoglobulins, and similar antimicrobial peptides to those found in nasal<unk> . Normally during pregnancy, the<unk>  can be described as cloudy, clear, thick, salty and sticky, although viscoelasticity may be the most appropriate term to describe it. Toward the end of the pregnancy, when the cervix thins, some blood is released into the cervix which causes the<unk>  to become bloody. As the pregnant woman gets closer to labor, the<unk> <unk>  discharges as the cervix begins to dilate. The<unk>  may come out as a<unk> , a lump, or simply as increased vaginal discharge over several days. The<unk>  may be tinged with brown, pink, or red blood, which is why the event is sometimes referred to as "bloody show". Loss of the<unk> <unk>  does not necessarily mean that delivery or labor is imminent. Having intercourse or a vaginal examination can also disturb the<unk> <unk>  and cause a pregnant woman to see some blood-tinged discharge, even when labor does not begin over the next few days.
Cervical mucus plug
Strawberry cervix
Vaginal yeast infection
Stenosis of uterine cervix
Cervical pregnancy
Vaginal trauma
Vaginal adenosis
Cervical polyp