Vaginal Speculums

1. Graves Speculum

• Description:
  The Graves speculum is a wider, slightly larger speculum with a broader blade. It’s designed to comfortably open the vaginal walls for examination of the cervix and vagina.

• Use:
  Ideal for most adult women during routine pelvic exams. The wider blades allow better visualization, especially in women who have had vaginal deliveries.

• Material:
  Usually made of stainless steel (reusable) or plastic (disposable).

• Features:
  Comes with a screw or lever to adjust and lock the blades in place.

2. Pederson Speculum

• Description:
  The Pederson speculum has narrower, flatter blades compared to the Graves speculum. The blades are more slender and straight, designed for use in patients with a smaller vaginal canal.

• Use:
  Often used in women who are nulliparous (haven’t given birth vaginally), postmenopausal women, or those with narrower vaginal canals.

• Material:
  Typically stainless steel or plastic.

• Features:
  Also has an adjustable screw or lever to open and hold the blades apart.

3. Cusco Speculum

• Description:
  The Cusco speculum is a bivalve speculum, similar in function to Graves and Pederson but often shorter and with a distinct “duckbill” shape.

• Use:
  Commonly used for minor gynecological procedures, colposcopy, or exams requiring a more stable, fixed opening.

• Material:
  Stainless steel or plastic.

• Features:
  It has a self-retaining mechanism (a ratchet) that holds the blades open without needing to hold it manually.