During a dilation and curettage procedure, also called D&C, a vaginal speculum is used to hold the walls of the vagina apart. Then a series of rods of increasing thickness, called dilators, are inserted to open the cervix slowly. This allow access to the uterus. Next, a long, thin tool called a curette is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. With this tool, the tissue lining the inside of the uterus is carefully removed.
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