Colposcopy

Colposcopy
A procedure in which a gynecologist uses a lighted magnifying instrument which is called a colposcope to
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Examination of vagina and cervix by means of an endoscope. [colpo- + G. skopeo, to view] C. is used chiefly to identify areas of cervical dysplasia in women with abnormal Pap smears and as an aid in biopsy or excision procedures including cautery, cryotherapy, laser vaporization, and loop electrosurgical excision. The colposcope is a stationary instrument with self-contained lighting and magnification adjustable from 2× to 20× or higher. It is used in conjunction with a standard vaginal speculum to view the cervix, particularly the transformation zone, and the vaginal mucosa. A green filter enhances visualization of blood vessel s and identification of abnormal (punctate, mosaic, or atypical) vascular patterns. Application of 5% acetic acid solution accentuates areas of increased cellular protein and increased nuclear density, which are likely to represent zones of squamous cell change. Lugol solution (iodine-potassium iodide), which stains only squamous epithelial cells that have a normal glycogen content, may also be applied to delineate abnormal squamous epithelium. Colposcopically directed cervical biopsy is the procedure of choice following a Pap smear showing atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance, low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, koilocytosis, carcinoma in situ, or higher grade carcinomas.

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col·pos·co·py (kol-posґkə-pe) examination of the cervix and vagina by means of the colposcope.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • colposcopy — 1940, from colpo , from L., from Gk. kolpos womb (used from c.1900 in medical compounds in sense vagina ) + oscopy (see SCOPE (Cf. scope)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Colposcopy — Not to be confused with colonoscopy. Colposcopy Intervention 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 …   Wikipedia

  • colposcopy — noun see colposcope …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • colposcopy — /kol pos keuh pee/, n., pl. colposcopies. an examination by means of a colposcope. [1935 40; < Gk kólp(os) womb, vagina + O + SCOPY] * * * …   Universalium

  • colposcopy — noun the examination of the tissues of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope …   Wiktionary

  • colposcopy — n. examination of cells from the cervix and vagina performed with a colposcope (Medicine) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • colposcopy — col·pos·co·py …   English syllables

  • colposcopy — n. examination of the cervix under low power binocular magnification and an intense light source. If abnormalities are revealed (identified as white areas after application of acetic acid, then iodine, to the cervix), a diagnostic biopsy is taken …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • colposcopy — /kɒlˈpɒskəpi/ (say kol poskuhpee) noun (plural colposcopies) an examination of the cervix and vaginal walls using a colposcope …  

  • colposcopy — Examination of the vagina and cervix using a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope …   English dictionary of cancer terms

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