Pelvic examination Health Dictionary

Pelvic Examination: From 1 Different Sources


Examination of a woman’s external and internal genitalia.

After examination of the external genitalia, a speculum is inserted into the vagina to allow a clear view of the cervix.

A cervical smear test may be performed.

The doctor inserts 2 fingers into the vagina and, with the other hand, feels the abdomen to evaluate the position and size of the uterus and the ovaries and to detect any tenderness or swelling.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

(PID) Also called salpingitis, the term is applied to infections of the fallopian tubes that follow or are concurrent with uterine and cervical infections. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are the most common organisms, and the infection is usually begun through sexual contact, although metabolic imbalances, subtler systemic infections like a slow virus, the local insult of herpes or candidiasis, the sequela of medication or recreational drugs, birth control pills, even an IUD...all can alter the vaginal flora and induce inflammation sufficient to allow an endogenous organism to start the infection. PID after birth, on the other hand, is usually the result of staph or strep infections infecting injured membranes.... pelvic inflammatory disease

Physical Examination

That part of a patient’s consultation with a doctor in which the doctor looks, feels (palpates) and listens to (auscultates) various parts of the patient’s body. Along with the history of the patient’s symptoms, this enables the doctor to assess the patient’s condition and decide whether an immediate diagnosis is possible or whether laboratory or imaging investigations are needed to reach a diagnosis. A full physical examination may take 30 minutes or more. Physical examination, along with certain standard investigations, is done when a person attends for a ‘preventive’ check-up of his or her state of health.... physical examination

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease(pid)

An infection of the endometrium (membraneous lining) of the UTERUS, FALLOPIAN TUBES and adjacent structures caused by the ascent of micro-organisms from the vulva and vagina. Around 100,000 women develop PID each year in the UK; most of those affected are under 25 years of age. Infection is commonly associated with sexual intercourse; Chlamydia trachomatis (see CHLAMYDIA) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (see NEISSERIACEAE) are the most common pathogens. Although these bacteria initiate PID, opportunistic bacteria such as STREPTOCOCCUS and bacteroides often replace them.

The infection may be silent – with no obvious symptoms – or symptoms may be troublesome, for example, vaginal discharge and sometimes a palpable mass in the lower abdomen. If a LAPAROSCOPY is done – usually by endoscopic examination – overt evidence of PID is found in around 65 per cent of suspected cases.

PID may be confused with APPENDICITIS, ECTOPIC PREGNANCY – and PID is a common cause of such pregnancies – ovarian cyst (see OVARIES, DISEASES OF) and in?ammatory disorders of the intestines. Treatment is with a combination of ANTIBIOTICS that are active against the likely pathogens, accompanied by ANALGESICS. Patients may become seriously ill and require hospital care, where surgery is sometimes required if conservative management is unsuccessful. All women who have PID should be screened for sexually transmitted disease and, if this is present, should be referred with their partner(s) to a genito-urinary medicine clinic. Up to 20 per cent of women who have PID become infertile, and there is a seven-to ten-fold greater risk of an ectopic pregnancy occurring.... pelvic inflammatory disease(pid)

Post-mortem Examination

Also called an autopsy (and less commonly, necropsy), this is an examination of a body to discover the causes of death. Such an examination is sometimes required by law. An unnatural death; a death occurring in suspicious circumstances; or a death when a doctor feels unable to complete a certi?cate about the cause – all must be reported to the CORONER (in Scotland, to the procurator ?scal). He or she may order an autopsy to be carried out as part of the inquiry into cause of death. Sometimes doctors may request the permission of relatives to perform a post-mortem so that they may discover something of value for the improvement of medical care. Relatives may refuse consent. (See also DEATH, CAUSES OF.)... post-mortem examination

Examinations Jitters

Excessive nervousness. Overwhelmed by cumulative effects of prolonged worry, chronic fatigue, feeling of unwellness, loss of appetite, stomach upsets, poor concentration. To relax nerves, aid digestion and healthful sleep:

Alternatives: tablets, capsules, tinctures, extracts etc. Alfalfa, Primrose flowers, Ginseng, Vervain, Skullcap, Valerian, Passiflora, Ginkgo, Siberian Ginseng, Hops.

Powders, Liquid Extracts, Tinctures. Formula. Equal parts: Skullcap, Valerian, Mistletoe. Doses. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. In water thrice daily.

On retiring. Cup Passion flower tea. (1-2 teaspoons to cup boiling water) ... examinations jitters

Pelvic Infection

An infection in the female reproductive system. Severe or recurrent pelvic infection is referred to as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). ... pelvic infection

Pelvic Pain

See abdominal pain.... pelvic pain

Postmortem Examination

An alternative term for an autopsy.... postmortem examination

Chronic Pelvic Pain

(CPP) intermittent or constant pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis of at least six months’ duration, not occurring exclusively with menstruation or intercourse and not associated with pregnancy. It may be caused by an underlying gynaecological condition, such as *endometriosis or adhesions, but bowel or bladder disorders (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis), visceral hypersensitivity, and psychological conditions may all contribute.... chronic pelvic pain

Mental State Examination

(MSE) a full psychiatric examination of signs and symptoms, which takes place during a psychiatric interview and should apply only to signs and symptoms elicited at that time; it should not take into account historical information. The examination is usually divided into the following subheadings: appearance and behaviour, speech, mood, *affect, thought and perception, *insight, and orientation. Usually it also includes a *risk assessment.... mental state examination

Mini-mental State Examination

(MMSE) a brief 30-point questionnaire that is used to screen for cognitive impairment in the diagnosis of dementia. It is also used to estimate the severity of cognitive impairment and to follow the course of cognitive changes in an individual over time, thus making it an effective way to document response to treatment. It tests functions including arithmetic, memory, and orientation.... mini-mental state examination

Barium X-ray Examinations

Procedures used to detect and follow the progress of some gastrointestinal tract disorders. Because X-rays do not pass through it, barium is used to outline organs, such as the stomach, which are not normally visible on an X-ray. In some cases, barium X-rays are an alternative to endoscopy. Barium sulphate mixed with water is passed into the part of the tract requiring examination, and X-rays are taken. X-rays may be singleor double-contrast. Single-contrast barium X-rays use barium sulphate alone. The barium fills the section of the tract and provides an outline image that shows up prominent abnormalities. In double-contrast barium X-rays, the barium forms a thin film over the inner surface of the tract, and the tract is filled with air so that small surface abnormalities can be seen.

Different types of barium X-ray examination are used to investigate different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Barium swallow involves drinking a barium solution and is used to investigate the oesophagus. A barium meal is carried out to look at the lower oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Barium followthrough is used to investigate disorders of the small intestine; X-rays are taken at intervals as the barium reaches the intestine. A barium enema is used to investigate disorders of the large intestine and rectum; barium is introduced though a tube inserted in the rectum. Barium remaining in the intestine may cause constipation. Therefore, it is important to have a high-fibre diet and drink plenty of water after a barium examination, until all the barium has passed through.... barium x-ray examinations

Breast Self-examination

Visual and manual examination of the breasts carried out by a woman to detect lumps

and other changes that might be an indication of early breast cancer. To carry out self-examination, the breasts should be checked in a mirror for any dimpling of the skin or changes in the nipples or breast size and shape. Then, with one arm behind the head, and using small circular movements, the breast should be gently but firmly pressed. The entire breast, armpit area, and nipple should be examined. Regular self-examination helps a woman to become familiar with the appearance and feel of her breasts; any changes should be reported to a doctor without delay.... breast self-examination

Dental Examination

An examination of the mouth, gums, and teeth by a dentist as a routine check or as part of the assessment a person complaining of a symptom. Routine examinations enable tooth decay and gum disease to be detected and treated at an early stage.

During a routine dental examination, the dentist uses a metal instrument to

probe for dental cavities, chipped teeth, or fillings. Dental X-rays are sometimes carried out to check for problems that may not be visible. Dentists also check how well the upper and lower teeth come together. Regular examinations in children enable the monitoring of the replacement of primary teeth by permanent, or secondary, teeth. Referral for orthodontic treatment may be made. dental extraction See tooth extraction. dental X-ray An image of the teeth and jaws that provides information for detecting, diagnosing, and treating conditions that can threaten oral and general health. There are 3 types of dental X-ray: periapical X-ray, bite-wing X-ray, and panoramic X-ray.

Periapical X-rays are taken using X-ray film held behind the teeth. They give detailed images of whole teeth and the surrounding tissues. They show unerupted or impacted teeth, root fractures, abscesses, cysts, and tumours, and can help diagnose some skeletal diseases. Bite-wing X-rays show the crowns of the teeth and can detect areas of decay and changes in bone due to periodontal disease. Panoramic X-rays show all the teeth and surrounding structures on one large film. They can show unerupted or impacted teeth, cysts, jaw fractures, or tumours. The amount of radiation received from dental X-rays is extremely small. However, dental X-rays should be avoided during pregnancy.... dental examination

Ear, Examination Of

The ear may be examined to investigate earache, discharge from the ear (see ear, discharge from), hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ear, disturbed balance, tinnitus, or swelling of lymph nodes (see glands, swollen) around the ear.

To view the ear canal and eardrum, an otoscope may be used. To obtain images of the middle and inner ears, X-rays, CT scanning, or MRI may be carried out. Hearing and balance can be assessed by means of hearing tests or caloric tests. Electronystagmography assesses balance by watching eye movements when water is inserted into the ear. ear, foreign body in Foreign bodies can easily enter the ear canal. Children often insert objects into their ears, and insects may crawl or fly in. Objects in the ear must be removed by a doctor. This can be done by syringing of the ear or by using fine-toothed forceps. Insects can sometimes be floated out with olive oil or lukewarm water.... ear, examination of

Pelvic-floor Muscle Training

see Kegel exercises.... pelvic-floor muscle training

Pelvic Girdle

(hip girdle) the bony structure to which the bones of the lower limbs are attached. It consists of the right and left *hip bones.... pelvic girdle

Examination, Physical

The part of a medical consultation in which the doctor looks, feels, and listens to various parts of the patient’s body to assess the patient’s condition or to gather information to help make a diagnosis.

Most examinations include palpation, by which the doctor examines relevant parts of the body for signs such as swelling, tenderness, or enlargement of organs. In some cases, percussion of the chest, or other parts of the body, may be performed by tapping with the fingers and then listening to the sound produced. Auscultation may be used to listen to blood flow through arteries and sounds made by the heart and lungs. The doctor may take the pulse or blood pressure, examine the eyes and ears, and assess the strength and coordination of the muscles.... examination, physical

Eye, Examination Of

An inspection of the structures of the eyes, either as part of a vision test or to make a diagnosis when an eye disorder is suspected.

An eye examination usually begins with inspection of the external appearance of the eyes, lids, and surrounding skin. A check of eye movements is usually performed and the examiner looks for squint. A check of the visual acuity in each eye using a Snellen chart follows. Refraction testing (using lenses of different strengths) may be performed to determine what glasses or contact lenses, if any, may be needed. A test of the visual fields may be performed, especially in suspected cases of glaucoma or neurological conditions. Colour vision may be checked because loss of colour perception is an indication of certain disorders of the retina or optic nerve. To check for abrasions or ulcers, the conjunctiva and cornea may be stained with fluorescein. Applanation tonometry is an essential test for glaucoma.

The ophthalmoscope is an instrument used to examine the inside of the eye, particularly the retina. The slit-lamp microscope, with its illumination and lens magnification, allows examination of the conjunctiva, cornea, front chamber of the eye, iris, and lens. For a full view of the lens and the structures behind it, the pupil must be widely dilated with eye-drops.... eye, examination of

Pelvic Floor Exercises

A programme of exercises to strengthen the muscles and tighten the ligaments at the base of the abdomen, which form the pelvic floor.

These muscles and ligaments support the uterus, vagina, bladder, urethra, and rectum. Performing the exercises may help to prevent prolapse of the uterus (see uterus, prolapse of) and urinary stress incontinence (see incontinence, urinary). They may also help women who find achieving orgasm difficult.

The pelvic floor muscles are those that tighten when urine flow is stopped midstream. The exercises involve stopping and starting urine flow several times by contracting and relaxing the muscles. Ideally, they should be performed for 5 minutes every hour throughout the day. They can be done standing, sitting, or lying down, by imagining that urine is being passed, contracting and holding the muscles for 10 seconds, and then slowly releasing them, repeating 5–10 times as often as possible.... pelvic floor exercises

Objective Structured Clinical Examination

(OSCE) a type of examination used increasingly in the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy) to assess clinical skills in examination, communication, medical procedures, and interpretation of results. The examination usually takes the form of a circuit of stations around which each candidate moves after a specified time interval (5–10 minutes) at each station. Stations are a mixture of interactive and noninteractive tasks. Some have an examiner and a simulated patient, either an actor for assessment of communication or history-taking skills or a manikin of a specific part of the body (e.g. to demonstrate how to use an auriscope). Other stations have investigation results with a list of questions that are to be completed on computer-marked examination papers. Each station has a different examiner and the stations are standardized with specific marking criteria, thus enabling fairer comparison with peers.... objective structured clinical examination



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