The respective roles of cytology and colposcopy in obstetric and gynecologic practice.

The use of cytology in evaluating the state of the uterine cervix is well recognized and accepted in the United States. The role of colposcopy has not been completely defined although its acceptance is slowly gaining ground in many clinics. It is the purpose of this article to compare the two methods and to discuss the relationship of these methods to each other. Most attention will be directed to cytology and colposcopy of the cervix. However, the applications of both methods to evaluation of the vulva and vagina will also be considered.