In this diagram, the canal of the cervix (or endocervix) is circled at the base of the womb. The vaginal portion of the cervix projects free into the vagina. The transformation zone, at the opening of the cervix into the vagina, is the area where most abnormal cell changes occur
Specialty
gynaecology
ICD-9-CM
67
MeSH
D003127
OPS-301 code
1-671
[edit on Wikidata]
Colposcopy (Ancient Greek: κόλπος, romanized: kolpos, lit. 'hollow, womb, vagina' + skopos 'look at') is a medical diagnostic procedure to visually examine the cervix as well as the vagina and vulva using a colposcope.[1]
The main goal of colposcopy is to prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating precancerous lesions early. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection and the underlying cause for most cervical cancers. Smoking also makes developing cervical abnormalities more likely.
Other reasons for a patient to have a colposcopy include assessment of diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure in utero, immunosuppression, abnormal appearance of the cervix or as a part of a sexual assault forensic examination.
Colposcopy is done using a colposcope, which provides a magnified and illuminated view of the areas, allowing the colposcopist to visually distinguish normal from abnormal appearing tissue, such as damaged or abnormal changes in the tissue (lesions), and take directed biopsies for further pathological examination if needed.
The procedure was developed by the German physician Hans Hinselmann, with help from Eduard Wirths.[2][3] The development of colposcopy involved experimentation on Jewish inmates from Auschwitz.[4]
^Chase DM, Kalouyan M, DiSaia PJ (May 2009). "Colposcopy to evaluate abnormal cervical cytology in 2008". Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 200 (5): 472–80. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.12.025. PMID 19375565.
^"The Deadly Origins Of A Life-saving Procedure – Forward.com". 27 January 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
^Baggish, Michael S. (11 April 2018). Colposcopy of the Cervix, Vagina, and Vulva: A Comprehensive Textbook. Mosby. ISBN 9780323018593. Retrieved 11 April 2018 – via Google Books.
^Halioua, Bruno (2010). "The Participation of Hans Hinselman in Medical Experiments at Auschwitz". Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 14 (1): 1–4. doi:10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181af30ef. PMID 20040829. S2CID 188116.
the patient may be referred for detailed inspection of the cervix by colposcopy, which magnifies the view of the cervix, vagina and vulva surfaces. The...
examination of cells but not tissue structure, needed for diagnosis. A colposcopy with directed biopsy is the standard for disease detection. Endocervical...
An introduction to colposcopy: indications for colposcopy, instrumentation, principles and documentation of results". Colposcopy and treatment of cervical...
tract (cystoscopy) The female reproductive system (gynoscopy) The cervix (colposcopy) The uterus (hysteroscopy) The fallopian tubes (falloposcopy) Normally...
Pathology, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical; Mayeaux, E. J.; Cox, J. Thomas (2011-12-28). Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas. Lippincott...
"Adolescent Sexual Assault: Documentation of Acute Injuries Using Photo-colposcopy". Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 14 (4): 175–180. doi:10...
is made to drain the fluid rather than using a needle. Amniocentesis Colposcopy Culdoscopy "culdocentesis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary "Culdocentesis:...
EJ, Cox JT, et al. (American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology) (2011-12-28). Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas. Lippincott Williams &...
physician may want to follow the results more aggressively by performing a colposcopy with biopsy. If the dysplasia progresses, treatment may be necessary....
Dr. Hinselmann of Berlin". Hinselmann was the physician who developed colposcopy. Importantly, Wirths also asserted medical control of prisoner selections...
lead to cervical cancer, but can be diagnosed using a Pap smear or a colposcopy. It can be treated by using methods that remove the abnormal cells, allowing...
Gray's Anatomy (1918) International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) classification. References: -"Transformation zone (TZ) and cervical...
090423. PMC 3123383. PMID 21471299. Mayeaux EJ, Cox JT (2011). Modern Colposcopy Textbook and Atlas. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-1-4511-5383-5...
CX An ectocervical biopsy brush used in place of punch forceps during colposcopy to collect a full transepithelial tissue sample. The resulting sample...
millimetres to 4 cm in diameter. If a cyst has an unusual appearance, a colposcopy will be performed to rule out other diagnoses. If the blood vessels are...
An introduction to colposcopy: indications for colposcopy, instrumentation, principles and documentation of results". Colposcopy and treatment of cervical...
Colp or COLP may refer to: Colp, Illinois A colposcopy, a medical procedure to analyze the cervix. Colp, County Meath, Ireland, a small village south of...
physician for interpretation. Other related procedures are speculoscopy and colposcopy. The procedure is considered a screening test for cervical cancer and...
recover from the procedure other than taking prescribed antibiotics. Colposcopy Double dye test Rectovaginal fistula Urinary incontinence Bhatia J (8...
(2017), "Anatomy of the uterine cervix and the transformation zone", Colposcopy and Treatment of Cervical Precancer, International Agency for Research...
that can be provided to people by OB/GYNs. Some procedures may include: Colposcopy: If the results of a cervical cancer screening test, such as Pap smear...
the test, those with higher risk strains of HPV will be referred for colposcopy, while those with lower risk strains will be referred for cytology. Screening...