Colposcopic Principles and Tissue Basis

Colposcopy not only supplements cytology in detection of cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) but also plays an important role in treatment and follow-up of such lesions. Colposcopy provides an illuminated and magnified view of the cervix, vagina or vulva and is based on the variable absorption and reflection of white light off different tissue interfaces. This chapter will discuss the tissue basis for colposcopy and the principles of colposcopic examination.