Thinned but not dilated??

[Hardworkingmomma]

Call me crazy but I don't understand the whole dilation thing still and I'm 37 weeks pregnant. I went to my doctor today and he told me I was 50% thinned but not dilated any. Is that normal?? I've had people at work tell me that's good, and that it means when I start dilating it should go quickly because I'll already be thinned so much. I'm just curious if any other mothers have thinned and not dilated yet? I was too embarrassed as being so far along and not fully understanding the subject, that I wouldn't ask my doctor.

[mibabyno1]

Dilation is the hole opening up, thinning is from top to bottom thinning out. I am explaining badly. Google Image search effacement(thinning) and dilation. There are pictures.

[AshleyB1221]

Yeah, I'm 100% thinned and only 1cm dilated. They tried to explain it to me, but I'm still confused. I know that dilating means your cervix is opening for the baby to push through,  hyt the thinning still confuses me