During the pelvic exam, the woman lies on a table with special holders for her feet (stirrups). The healthcare provider wears sterile gloves for the examination. He or she checks the outside of the vagina visually and by hand. An instrument called a speculum is then inserted into the vagina. It allows the healthcare provider to examine the inside of the vagina and cervix, and to remove some cells for a test called a Pap smear (cervicovaginal exfoliative cytology).