Life Science Encyclopedia

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

• examination of anatomy
• skin lesions

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