Speculum (medical)

Speculum (medical)

A speculum is a medical tool for investigating body cavities, with a form dependent on the body cavity for which it is designed. In old texts, the speculum may also be referred to as a diopter or dioptra. ["The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary", Oxford University Press, 1971 - see entry for "diopter"]

Vaginal specula were used by the Romans, and speculum artifacts have been found in Pompeii. [cite book|title = History of Medicine|author = Cecilia Mettler|publisher - The Blakiston Co (1947)] A vaginal speculum, developed by J. Marion Sims, consists of a hollow cylinder with a rounded end that is divided into two hinged parts, somewhat like the beak of a duck. The speculum is inserted into the vagina to dilate it for examination of the vagina and cervix.

A specialized form of vaginal speculum is the weighted speculum, which consists of a broad half tube which is bent at about a 90 degree angle, with the channel of the tube on the exterior side of the angle. One end of the tube has a roughly spherical metal weight surrounding the channel of the speculum. A weighted speculum is placed in the vagina during vaginal surgery with the patient in the lithotomy position. The weight holds the speculum in place and frees the surgeon's hands for other tasks.Vaginal specula are also used for anal surgery, although several other forms of anal specula exist. One common form, the sigmoidoscope, resembles a tube that has a removable bullet shaped insert. When the speculum is inserted into the rectum, the insert dilates the rectum to the diameter of the tube. The insert is then removed, leaving the tube to allow examination of the rectum. This style of anal speculum is one of the oldest designs for surgical instruments still in use, with examples dating back many centuries.

Ear specula resemble a funnel, and come in a variety of sizes.

Nasal specula have two relatively flat blades with handle. The instrument is hinged so that when the handles are squeezed together the blades spread laterally, allowing examination.

All specula were formerly made of metal, and sterilized after use. However, many, especially those used in Emergency Departments and Doctor's offices, are now made of plastic, and are sterile, disposable, single-use items. Those used in surgical suites are still commonly made of metal.

Vaginal and anal specula are also sometimes used as sex toys.

Contrary to some previously-held opinions, the speculum does not cause damage to the vaginal opening, as many gynecological teachers will attest. In very few states in the United States, vaginal specula are illegal for personal use, but since there was a popular cervical self-examination component to the second-wave feminist movement, many states are either much more lenient or have completely relinquished restrictions on speculum use. However, distributors still face specific guidelines about which specula may or may not be sold.

Notes

ee also

* Endoscope


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Speculum — The term speculum may refer to:* Speculum (medical), a medical tool used for examining body cavities. * Speculum (band), a San Diego California grindcore/death metal band. * Speculum metal, an alloy containing copper and tin used for making all… …   Wikipedia

  • Speculum — Spéculum Ancien modèle de spéculum Un spéculum est un outil médical généralement en métal ou à usage unique en plastique permettant d explorer une cavité corporelle par l écartement des parois. Sommaire …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Spéculum — Ancien modèle de spéculum Un spéculum est un outil médical généralement en métal ou à usage unique en plastique permettant d explorer une cavité corporelle par l écartement des parois. Sommaire 1 Dé …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Medical community of ancient Rome — Symbolic statue of Asclepius holding the Rod of Asclepius. In later times it was confused with the Caduceus, which has two snakes. The snake shown may have originated as a parasitic worm removed on a stick, but it played a role as a healing… …   Wikipedia

  • medical equipment — See panel   ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Medical and surgical equipment includes: aspirator audiometer aural speculum auriscope autoclave body scanner bronchoscope ca(n)nula catheter CAT scanner clamp CT (computed tomography) scanner curette …   Useful english dictionary

  • speculum — noun /ˈspɛkjʊləm,ˈspɛkjələm/ a) A medical instrument used during an examination to dilate an orifice. b) A mirror.<!or an instrument based on a mirror. this does not belong here: Specular reflection means reflection as by a mirror (rather than …   Wiktionary

  • speculum — spec·u·lum || spekjÉ™lÉ™m / jÊŠl n. mirror or reflective surface in optical instruments; medical instrument used to dilate bodily orifices (Medicine); colorful or iridescent patch on the wings of certain birds …   English contemporary dictionary

  • speculum — spec•u•lum [[t]ˈspɛk yə ləm[/t]] n. pl. la( lə), lums. 1) opt a mirror or reflector, esp. one of polished metal, as on a reflecting telescope 2) srg a medical instrument for rendering a part accessible to observation, as by enlarging an orifice… …   From formal English to slang

  • medical instrument — noun instrument used in the practice of medicine • Hypernyms: ↑instrument • Hyponyms: ↑ballistocardiograph, ↑cardiograph, ↑bronchoscope, ↑electrocardiograph, ↑dialyzer, ↑dia …   Useful english dictionary

  • History of Medicine —     History of Medicine     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► History of Medicine     The history of medical science, considered as a part of the general history of civilization, should logically begin in Mesopotamia, where tradition and philological… …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”