'Erosion' of the uterine cervix; an anachronism.

The conclusion arrived at after a review of the relevant literature, coupled with current knowledge of the morphophysiological changes which take place in the transformation zone of the cervix, is that the term cervical erosion is an anachronism. The term should therefore be abandoned. More appropriate terms for the clinical appearance of the cervix are ectropion or ectopy. The metaplastic process and its role in neoplasia is also discussed.