Colposcopy is a medical diagnostic procedure that uses an instrument with magnifying lenses, called a colposcope, to closely examine cervix and the tissues of vagina and vulva. Many premalignant lesions and malignant lesions in these areas have discernible characteristics which can be detected through the examination. Colposcope provides an enlarged view of the areas, allowing the colposcopist to visually distinguish normal from abnormal appearing tissue and helps to suggest biopsies for further pathological examination. The main goal of colposcopy is to prevent cervical cancer by detecting precancerous lesions early and treating them.

The procedure was developed by the German physician Hans Hinselmann, with help from Eduard Wirths. The devlopment of colposcopy involved experimentation on Jewish inmates from Auschwitz.