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What Is a Metal Speculum?
A metal speculum is a medical instrument used for dilating an opening of the body to allow light into the opening for examination or medical procedures. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the metal speculum, called a dioptra, for performing vaginal and rectal examinations and surgeries. The basic form of the these metal speculums remained relatively unchanged until the 20th century. The shape and size of the metal speculum varies, depending on the body cavity for which it is used. Originally crafted of bronze, metal speculums today are constructed of stainless steel.
Medical personnel utilize different types of speculums for different medical tasks. Most medical professionals use a metal speculum for a speculum exam, although metal speculums might be employed in surgical procedures. Plastic speculums have become more common for use in emergency rooms and doctor's clinics. These speculums are designed for a single use and then are disposed of after examination. Surgical units use the metal speculum, which can be sterlized and reused.
A metal speculum is named in more detail depending on the body opening that is inspected. For example, a medical practitioner uses a nasal speculum to inspect a patient's nasal passages. The rectal speculum is used to inspect the rectal cavity, and a pelvic speculum, sometimes called a vaginal speculum, is for the vaginal cavity. The aural speculum resembles a small funnel and is used for inspecting the interior of the ear. An eye speculum keeps the eyelids open during eye surgery.
The vaginal speculum is commonly used by gynecologists and obstetricians for the pelvic exam. The medical professional might use a vaginal speculum with one, two or three blades, depending on the type of exam. The most frequently used vaginal speculum is the bivalve graves speculum. Resembling a duck bill, the two blades separate and dilate the vaginal cavity as the medical professional turns a screw mechanism on the speculum handle. The medical practitioner usually warms the cold metal speculum to body temperature before insertion.
For anal or rectal examination or surgery, a vaginal speculum might be used, or the medical professional might use a specially designed anal speculum called an anoscopy. This narrow, rigid instrument is inserted into the anus; an interior bullet-shaped tube is removed to provide the medical professional a clear view of the lower rectum. Medical practitioners have used both the the vaginal and rectal metal speculums for more than 1,000 years.
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![A metal speculum.]()
By: Stefan GräfA metal speculum. -
![An eye speculum keeps eyelids open during eye surgery.]()
By: blueringmediaAn eye speculum keeps eyelids open during eye surgery. -
![A metal speculum is a medical tool used to dilate an opening in the body for examination.]()
By: praisaengA metal speculum is a medical tool used to dilate an opening in the body for examination. -
![Gynecologists use a speculum to examine a patient's cervix.]()
By: Zsolnai GergelyGynecologists use a speculum to examine a patient's cervix. -
![A rectal speculum will be used to inspect the rectal cavity.]()
A rectal speculum will be used to inspect the rectal cavity. -
![Doctors use the speculum to gain greater access to, or more easily observe, the vagina, rectum or other body opening.]()
By: OLIVIER THURETDoctors use the speculum to gain greater access to, or more easily observe, the vagina, rectum or other body opening.
Discussion Comments
@robbie21 - I've had a pelvic exam with a disposable speculum, too, and I admit that they are lighter and more comfortable.
But I'm concerned about the environmental impact of all those disposable specula. It seems awfully wasteful. I know you are concerned about sanitation, but really, their procedures for sanitizing the reusable metal ones are pretty intense. I promise you're not going to pick up an STD or a yeast infection from a reusable speculum. Not going to happen. And keep in mind that a lot of instruments used in a doctor's office do not have disposable equivalents, so there's always the potential for being exposed to something reusable. They keep them awfully clean!
If you don't like having Pap tests - and who does? - you might ask whether you are having them too often. A lot of docs do they every year, but it's not really necessary for women who have always had normal results.
The current recommendation is to have one every two years between 21 and 30 and every three years after 30 (always assuming that your last three results have been normal; if you get an abnormal result, they will want to check mor often for a while).
I have to say, I love the new plastic speculum my doctor's office is using. They are lighter weight than the metal ones, which is awesome and makes the exam more comfortable. And, I don't know, do you really want to share something like that with other people? Just seems a little unsanitary, like it could be a source of disease.
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