Which procedure is performed to obtain a cervical biopsy?

• A. Endoscopy
• B. Pap smear
• C. Hysteroscopy
• D. Colposcopy

Answer: (D)

To obtain a cervical biopsy, a colposcopy is performed. During colposcopy, the cervix is looked at with a magnified view using a special instrument called a colposcope, often after applying acetic acid to highlight abnormal areas. If any suspicious tissue is seen, small samples are taken with biopsy forceps or a punch device right then, and sent to pathology for analysis. A Pap smear, by contrast, collects surface cells for cytology and is not a tissue biopsy. Endoscopy examines internal surfaces of hollow organs like the digestive tract, not specifically the cervix. Hysteroscopy looks inside the uterine cavity and isn’t the method used to biopsy cervical tissue. Therefore, colposcopy is the procedure used to obtain a cervical biopsy.