A vaginal speculum comprising a pair of pivotally connected components A and B, each of which comprises a handle 11, 13and a beak element 12, 14. In which the closed edges 26, 27 of the beak elements 12, 14, which face one another, are located inboard of the outer beak profile 28, so as to avoid pinching any body tissue during use of the speculum. The beak elements 12, 14 may blend seamlessly into the handles 11, 13. The speculum may comprise a threaded runner and locking nut mechanism. One of the handles may be formed with a dished recessed to receive the nut.
