An illuminated medical instrument comprises an insertion portion (1) for insertion into a body opening and defining an elongate passageway (2), the passageway extending along a longitudinal axis (3) and having a proximal end (4) and a distal end (5). An obturator (19) is fitted into the passageway (2). A light emitting structure (7) has a distal end arranged to direct light from the insertion portion (1) into the body opening. The obturator (19) is movable in the passageway (2) between a first position within the passageway and a second position proximal of the first position and is constructed and arranged so that when in its first position it substantially covers in the direction of the longitudinal axis the distal end of the light emitting structure (7).