Abstract: A vaginal speculum adapted to be positioned within a vagina has a hollow cylindrical body with means integral therewith for distending the vagina internally of the introitus, whereby the speculum allows visualisation of, and access to and through the cervix, without distending the cervix. In one embodiment the hollow cylindrical body has an inner and outer tube, which are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical body between a first position, wherein the distending means is closed and a second position, wherein the distending means is distended. In this embodiment the distending means is a plurality of elongate members connected between the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes. In the first position the elongate members lie along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical and in the second position they are bent out from the hollow cylindrical body as the distance between the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes has been shortened.