What is "colposcopy"

1940, from colpo-, Latinized comb. form of Greek kolpos "womb" (used from c.1900 in medical compounds in sense "vagina;" see gulf (n.)) + -oscopy (see -scope).

n. (context medicine English) the examination of the tissues of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope

Colposcopy ( + skopos "look at") is a medical diagnostic procedure to examine an illuminated, magnified view of the cervix and the tissues of the vagina and vulva. Many premalignant lesions and malignant lesions in these areas have discernible characteristics which can be detected through the examination. It is done using a colposcope, which provides an enlarged view of the areas, allowing the colposcopist to visually distinguish normal from abnormal appearing tissue and take directed biopsies for further pathological examination. The main goal of colposcopy is to prevent cervical cancer by detecting precancerous lesions early and treating them. The procedure was developed by the German physician Hans Hinselmann, with help from Eduard Wirths. The procedure involved female Jewish inmates from Auschwitz.

A specialized colposcope equipped with a camera is used in examining and collecting evidence for victims of rape and sexual assault.