Speculum

Quick Answer: A speculum is an instrument that opens or holds apart a body passage so it can be examined. This listing is titled simply ‘Speculum’; the main speculum types used in teaching are Cusco’s bivalve and Sims’ vaginal specula, nasal specula and aural specula, and the buyer specifies which is required.

Common Speculum Types

Cusco’s speculum is a bivalve (two-bladed) vaginal instrument. It is inserted closed, opened to hold the anterior and posterior walls apart, and locked with a screw, giving a hands-free view of the cervix. It is the type used for routine cervical examination and for procedures such as smear collection and IUCD insertion training.

Sims’ speculum is single-piece and double-ended, with a blade of different size at each end. It retracts one wall, usually the posterior, and is used with the patient in the left lateral position. Because it has to be held, it is often paired with an anterior vaginal wall retractor.

Outside gynaecology, the name also covers the nasal speculum (such as the Thudichum, whose blades spread the nostril) and aural specula used with an otoscope. Since this listing does not state which type is supplied, name the type and size when ordering.

Applications

• Teaching cervical examination and smear technique on gynaecological models in nursing, midwifery and medical courses
• Instrument identification viva sessions in obstetrics and gynaecology
• Preparing IUCD insertion training trays with the IUCD set
• ENT teaching with nasal specula on head models

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Clean the instrument promptly, opening bivalve types fully so the hinge and screw can be brushed.
• Metal specula can be steam sterilised; plastic specula are generally single-use and should be discarded.
• Check the locking screw and hinge move smoothly before each session.

Why Choose LabEquip

Specula are bought by nursing and midwifery schools, medical colleges and ENT departments for examination teaching. LabEquip lists this item in the Biology Lab Products range for teaching use; state type, size and quantity on the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Cusco’s and Sims’ speculum?

Cusco’s is bivalve and self-retaining once the screw is locked, giving a hands-free view of the cervix. Sims’ is a single double-ended blade that retracts one wall and must be held.

Which type is used for a cervical smear?

A Cusco’s bivalve instrument is normally used, as it exposes the cervix and stays open while the sample is taken.

Why does Sims’ speculum have two ends?

Each end has a blade of a different size, so the same instrument fits different patients. The unused end serves as the handle.

What sizes do vaginal specula come in?

They are commonly made in small, medium and large sizes. Choose sizes to match the models or the teaching purpose.

Can it be used on a training model?

Yes. Gynaecological examination models let students practise inserting, opening, locking and withdrawing a speculum before any clinical placement.

How do I tell a nasal speculum from a vaginal one?

A nasal speculum is small, with short blades on a spring or scissor-type handle, and spreads the nostril. Vaginal specula are much larger, with long blades. The listing does not name the type, so state it when ordering.

Last Updated: September 2026