Physicians use speculums, shaped like a duck’s beak, to peer into hollow parts of the body to see if a disease is present.

A physician may check the vaginal walls and the cervix, do gynaecological exams, analyse discharge quality and amount, and even execute treatments and surgeries with the speculums. They are quite beneficial in the area of obstetrics/gynaecology as a whole.

Types Of Speculums

There are two types of this instrument: plastic and stainless steel. Metal gadgets have a long life expectancy. They are easy to dispose of when made of plastic. Below are examples of the common types of speculum:

Vaginal Speculums

In pelvic examinations, a vaginal speculum is a diagnostic tool that helps doctors and other healthcare professionals see more clearly into a female’s cervix and vaginal canal. The majority of specula are metal and plastic, and clinicians insert a part of the speculums into the patient’s vaginal walls to separate them. Vaginal speculums with one, two, or three blades are useful in the examination of the vaginal cavity. The practitioner should consult with the patient to identify which kind and thickness of vaginal speculums are most suited for the patient. Listed below are a few examples:

Pederson Speculums

Practitioners use the Pederson speculums on sexually active adolescent females. Its blades are thinner than standard adult speculums but broader than a Huffman speculum. These disposable instruments make gynaecological exams more convenient and pleasant for the patient. Speculum blade corners are carefully cleaned to ensure excessive hardness does not cause unintentional skin wounds when used.

Graves Speculums

The Graves speculum is a helpful gynaecological instrument for pelvic examinations, Pap tests, and cervical evaluation. The speculums look like duckbills, but with their blades retracted. An exterior handle and screws open the blades. The Graves speculums have broader blades than the Pederson speculums. The physician will know which kind and size of the speculums are suitable for the patient. The blades of the Graves speculums are the widest of any speculums. During their evaluation of adult women, women’s health doctors use this type of speculum.

Paediatric Speculums

Gynaecologists utilise this smaller variant of the vaginal speculums to inspect the vagina in newborns and children. Since these instruments are ideal for patients who have not had any sexual activity in the past, they are suitable. 

Cusco’s Speculums

Gynaecologists often use two-bladed bivalve speculums to inspect the vagina and cervix. The doctor puts these instruments in the vagina and widens the blades to reveal the cervix and vagina. Vaginal speculums are available in a variety of sizes. The type of speculums your physician uses will depend on how old you are and how wide and long your vaginal opening is.

Huffman Speculums

The Huffman speculums are gynaecology-specific plastic instruments. In addition, it has a pleasant, ergonomic design that allows for enhanced balance and agility during tests. These thin, long tools are slimmer than conventional speculums since they are longer and leaner. It is useful for female adolescents who have not experienced any sexual activity yet.

Nasal Speculums

Nasal speculums are instruments used to safely examine the inside of the nose during various outpatient treatments, such as septal surgeries, anterior rhinoscopy and the excision of foreign substances and polyps. Typically, these tools consist of two flanges, or blades, that are put into the nostrils and extend and expose the nasal passages, allowing viewing of the nose’s inside without obstruction.

Ear Speculums

The purpose of an ear specula is to expand the ear canal. Clinical treatments, such as removing excessive earwax may be performed using an additional tool. People of varying ages require various sizes and shapes of ear specula. Your doctor may inspect your middle and inner ear using this funnel-shaped equipment. The doctor uses a piece of equipment known as an otoscope to shine a light on your inner ear to do the examination.

Anal Speculums

It is common to use anal speculums during an anoscopy, a tube-shaped metal tool used to expand the anus. As a precaution against obstructions when doing a diagnostic procedure like sigmoidoscopy, the physician uses these speculums to dilate and better see the anal canal. Anal Speculums are helpful instruments in diagnosing illnesses of the rectum and anus.