Pelvic examination

A pelvic examination, also pelvic exam, is a physical examination of the female pelvic organs.

Broadly, it can be divided into the external examination and internal examination.

A chaperone is appropriate under some circumstances.

External examination

An image that shows the introitus (the opening of the vagina) in relation to its surrounding structures, when the labia are displaced by digits during a pelvic examination.

• examination of anatomy
• skin lesions

Internal examination

Use of speculum to locate external cervical os. Examination for foreign bodies.

Manoeuvres

• test for cervical motion tenderness, as classically seen in pelvic inflammatory disease
• palpation of adnexal structures
• cervical swabs
• vaginal swabs
• pap smear

External links

• Your First Pelvic Exam