Terminology of colposcopy is a mixture of pathognomonic and graduating signs.

In 2011, the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) issued a new colposcopic terminology to classify normal and abnormal colposcopic findings. Abnormal colposcopic findings are graded as minor or major change. Dense acetowhite epithelium and rapid acetowhitening, cuffed crypt openings, coarse mosaic or punctation, well-defined border, inner border sign, and ridge sign are the main features indicative of a major change. Erosion, leukoplakia and Lugol’s staining in Schiller’s test are classified as non-specific signs, which however, according to our experience, have shown to be helpful in establishing a correct diagnosis. Application of the IFCPC terminology can be difficult in clinical practice. Therefore, we present a more pragmatic grading strategy in the following part of this manual.