Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pelvic examination
Introduction
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.[1]
External examination
External examination
- examination of anatomy
- skin lesions
Internal examination
Internal examination
Use of speculum[2] 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
References
References
- ↑ “Examination of the Female Pelvis”. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
- ↑ “Pelvic exam – MayoClinic.com”. Retrieved 2007-12-09.