A Colposcopy is a test in which the doctor uses an instrument called a Colposcope to look at the cervix with magnification (The Colposcope is not inserted into your vagina.) The Colposcope looks like a pair of binoculars mounted on a pedestal with a light attached. This instrument magnifies the cervix, vagina and external genital area when the doctor looks through the lenses into the vagina where a speculum has been placed. Different colored filters, similar to those used for cameras are used to block out colors. Magnification helps to see abnormal areas clearly so that biopsies (pieces of tissue) can be done precisely. The pieces of tissue are looked at in the laboratory under a microscope. After all the biopsies are taken, a scraping is done inside the cervical canal to make sure there are no abnormal cells past where the doctor can see. These scrapings are also sent to the lab to be looked at under the microscope. A Colposcopy is done when abnormal cells are seen on a Pap Smear.